Protecting your identity
Resources, advice, and recent coverage to help you prevent and cope with identity theft.
Managing your finances
Financial tools and articles from Bankrate.com on topics ranging from college financing to retirement.
Discussions
- Do you worry about ATM security?
- Share your tips for preventing ID theft
- Have you been a victim of identity theft?
Resources
credit bureaus
- Equifax
- P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-800-685-1111
- Experian
- P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
1 888 397 3742
- TransUnion
- P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1-800-888-4213
consumer organizations
federal and state
Tools
The costs of identity theft
From one-time credit card fraud to organized crime syndicates, identity theft's reach is expansive. It's far from a victimless crime: Consumers, businesses, government and law enforcement all suffer.

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Tips for protecting yourself
Each year, millions of Americans are victimized by identity theft, but with a little diligence, it's a preventable crime. Check out these tips for preventing ID theft.
Life stages of identity theft
Identity thieves discriminate to some degree. Anyone -- young or old, rich or poor -- can be a victim, but fraudsters generally prefer the easiest targets. Often, these are young adults.
Tips for identity theft victims
You suspect you're the victim of identity theft, but aren't sure how to respond. Here we've compiled advice to create a step-by-step guide to help you cope.
Recent coverage
- 6/20/08 Boston Medical Center settles case with AG
- 5/30/08 State Street: Data stolen from vendor
- 5/29/08 Identity theft services face legal test
- 5/23/08 Suits: anti-ID theft service failed even founder
- 4/24/08 Credit agencies to upgrade
- 4/03/08 Mortgage broker charged with using false documents
- 3/28/08 MoS tells patrons data was made public
- 3/19/08 State warns Hannaford about laws on data leaks
- 3/13/08 Harvard student, applicant files breached
- 2/24/08 Get "obsessed with shredding"
- 2/23/08 Report: Fed. agencies lag on ID theft protection
- 2/01/08 Don't let a gunless robbery turn your credit rating into a nightmare
- 1/13/08 Withhold SSN until necessary
- 11/18/07 For peace of mind, freeze out ID theft
Local data breaches
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TJX Cos.
The retail chain suffered a massive security breach in January 2007.
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Hannaford Bros.
The New England grocer's security was compromised in March 2008.
Blogs
I've been mugged
Boston information architect George Jenkins writes about his experiences with and opinions on identity theft and corporate responsibility.
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