With the recent increase in crimes relating to identity theft cases, it is prudent to safeguard oneself and family against fraudsters. Being vigilant is inevitably the first step and is the topmost need of the day. Regular monitoring of online accounts through bank and credit card websites are mandatory. This can also be done with the help of ATMs and phone by setting up of alerts that can be sent to any online address or mobile device. Those people who regularly supervise their accounts are less likely to be deceived as those who do not monitor their personal accounts on a regular basis.

Keeping personal data private is the second thing that a person should do in order to protect himself against fraudsters. One must make sure that Social Security Numbers, passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs) or account numbers. This data should be provided to trusted and verified locations only. The consumer should already install and regularly update an anti virus and anti spyware software. They should also keep operating regularly and also they should be regularly updated. The reason behind moving online is to remove paper invoices, statements and paychecks that are replaced by their electronic versions. One should also avoid mailing checks to pay bills and other remote deposit checks for imaging services. Keeping the above in mind, the person should also be mindful of the environment while passing over any information at the time of making purchases over the phone and passing over Social Security Number for identification purposes.

One should also be aware of identity protection services for extra protection. The main security and protection measures include credit monitoring, fraud alerts, credit freezes and database scanning. These measures can be obtained at a nominal cost and some of them are also free. One should also ensure that his credit and debit cards are well protected from those financial institutions that provide zero liability if the card is lost, stolen or used without authorization. Most of the financial institutions protect consumers against unauthorized transactions at merchant stores automatically.

Theft protection is of paramount importance and hence, utmost consideration should be attributed to it. It is generally resorted to for the purpose of facilitating wrongdoings and crimes that relate to terrorism, espionage and illegal immigration. Predominantly, it is of foremost importance today, considering the increase in the spate of terror attacks and other indigenous activities related to crime.

According to the Identity Fraud Survey Report released by the Javelin Strategy & Research, the number of overall identity fraud incidents has increased rampantly by around 22 per cent over 2007 that brings them to the back up levels not witnessed since 2004. The economic misfortune is the sole contributing factor to the rise in frauds. It has been witnessed in the past decades that there was a higher level of fraud the moment the economy worsened and history is now repeating itself with the current increase in the spate of frauds.

The above has lead to the reduction of consumer cost of identity fraud by 31% from $718 to $496 for each incident, the lowest level achieved since 2005. This was possible due to the faster detection of fraud cases, thanks to the efforts of the industry and improved consumer awareness.

Credible reports of 2008 have also revealed that women were around 26% more likely to be victims of identity frauds than men. There has been a rise in the spate of information breaches relating to women who have made purchases in stores more then men. The new trends have successfully revealed this gender disparity and there have been an increase in the number of lost or stolen wallets, checkbooks, and credit and debit cards being the target of such attacks in the very recent past. This increased trend has at least victimized around 4.25 percent of the overall adult population in the USA and this has resulted in a severe impact on them.