Federal prosecutors just busted the biggest identity theft scam in history.  A man already in jail for stealing information on 40 million credit and debit accounts was charged with stealing 130 million more!

Ten million Americans have their identity stolen every year. Even the most careful of us could fall prey to identity theft.

If you think your social security number, birth date, credit card or checkbook has been stolen, you must act swiftly to minimize the damage. 

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit report immediately by contacting Experian, Transunion or Equifax. If your state allows it, also request a security freeze be put on your account.  This will stop any new accounts from being opened without your permission.
2. Contact your bank and credit card accounts.  Talk with them about your options for monitoring activity and possibly putting a temporary hold on your accounts.
3. Fill out an identity theft report with your local or state law enforcement. This may seem like a wasted step, but a police report is important should you need to proof your ID was stolen.
4. Check all bank and credit card statements as soon as you receive them in the mail. Better yet, if you are registered to check your accounts online, monitor them immediately.
5. Report any purchases or debits that are not yours.

Don't let your guard down!  Many ID thieves will steal information, then wait a few months for the victim to forget or stop paying close attention before they start using your information. 

For more information, visit the Identity Theft Resource Center.

When it comes to ID theft, an ounce of prevention is worth 10 pounds of cure.  Take these simple steps to protect yourself from identity theft.

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