The Best Identity Theft Protection Money Can('t) Buy

Identity theft is a serious, and growing problem. While it is largely perceived as a computer security issue, identity theft pre-dates the home PC explosion, and even today most identity theft is done the old-fashioned way. Have you ever called a restaurant to place a carry-out order, and the person at the restaurant takes your credit card number over the phone? They slowly, and loudly, repeat each block of numbers. Then they slowly, and loudly, repeat the expiration date, and possibly even the CVV code from the back of the credit card. Have you ever wondered how many employees or patrons are sitting within hearing range of the person slowly, and loudly, repeating all of your credit card information for anyone to hear? Or, have you ever called one of your service providers- your cable TV company, your cell phone provider, etc.- and had them authenticate you by asking for your name, and the last four digits of your social security number? Did you ever stop to consider how many people might hear you, and the fact that these two pieces of information are the keys to getting information about you from virtually anywhere? Well, identity theft is anywhere and everywhere, but there is a new breed of service provider that claims to help monitor and protect your identity for you. Take a look at this PC World report to find out how well each performs.