The subject of Identity Fraud is very complex and involves everything from manufacturing fake ID's to get into bars to creating an entirely new identity in order to hijack airlines!

I have listed many of the websites and resources that are available to help you learn what can be done to protect your personal data and also how to protect the data of your customers and employees at the workplace.

Remember:  Identity Fraud and Theft is like being hit by lightning...you may not be able to stop it entirely but you can put measures into place that improve your odds of not being a victim and protect the data collected by your organization!

Please let me know if I can be of help to you "prevent identity fraud lightning".

Bill Alford
International Lighthouse Group
704-841-7759
bill@billalford.com

Article - Avoiding the Lightning Strike of Identity Fraud - "Is Your Business At Risk?" - William A. Alford, CFE

This article was written for business owners as a "wake up call" to help prevent employee and customer data from being stolen or misused.


Federal Trade Commission - ID Theft Home Page for Consumers

This is a very good site for linking with government information and agencies if you have been a victim of Identity Theft.


Privacy: Tips for Protecting Your Personal Information - Federal Trade Commission

Every day you share personal information about yourself with others. It's so routine that you may not even realize you're doing it. Follow the privacy tips to help manage your personal data.


Fight Identity Theft

This site is dedicated to describing current ID Fraud techniques as well as other typed of fraud impacting the public.  There is also outstanding information regarding victem's rights and how to deal with clearing up your credit file.


Free Credit Reports  - Check Your Credit Regularly

Thanks to the new Fair Credit Reporting law, consumers can now have access to their credit report at no charge.  Be sure to check your credit report at all three national credit bureaus.  Surprisingly, the information reported to each bureau can vary greatly!

Social Security Death Index

This is just one of many such indexes (you can get preliminary information free using this particular database).  Provides you with Name, Date of Birth, Date of Death and Social Security Number of people who have died.  Then click on links to print out letters to the Social Security Information to obtain an actual copy of the person’s application for a social security card.  Great genealogy site!


Suit Accuses LAPD Officer of Selling Celebrity Data

A vivid example of how data held by "official agencies" is vulnerable to theft!


Identity Theft Resource Center

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). ITRC is a nationwide organization dedicated to developing and implementing a comprehensive program against identity theft —by supporting victims, broadening public awareness, disseminating information about this crime and decreasing the potential victim population. 


Business Identity Risk Test - Identity Theft Resource Center

Very good tool for you as a consumer as well as a business owner or administrator!  Gives you the measures that should be in place to prevent ID theft.


Opt Out of "Pre-Approved" Credit Card Offers and Other Troublesome Junk Mail

Tired of unsolicited credit card offers?  You can call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT  or use this website to have your name and address removed from national credit bureau lists that are sold to the credit industry. The three national credit reporting agencies-- Experian (formerly TRW), Trans Union, and Equifax-- will remove your name for a two-year period from any list provided to others relating to any potential consumer credit transaction that you did not initiate. You will have to provide some personal information and follow the directions you receive from a prerecorded message. If you follow these directions, your name should be removed from these lists within five business days. You may even ask to have your name permanently removed by requesting that the credit bureau send to you an "election form." This form, when filled out and returned by you, will remove your name and address from credit bureau mailing lists until you notify them that you want to be placed on these lists again.


How Private is My Credit Report? -  Privacy Right Clearinghouse

Everything you ever wanted to know about your credit file!