ID Theft Protection
There are a number of ways identity theft protection services can protect you against identity theft fraud crimes, from monitoring your personal data to actively safeguarding your computer and personal information from hackers and fraudsters.
Credit Monitoring
Identity theft protection services such as LifeLock, Identity Guard and ProtectMyID will monitor your credit files held with the three main credit agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) and alert you immediately should any changes be made. This can help you to stop any false applications for credit being made in your name without your knowledge, and these services will also help you to set up ‘fraud alerts’, which make it impossible for lenders to process applications for credit in your name without seeking your permission first.
Credit Blocking
Identity theft protection services can also help you to completely block your credit file and this has two main purposes:
1. It prevents lenders from accessing the information they need to process applications for credit products, therefore making it impossible for fraudsters to apply for credit in your name with legitimate lenders.
2. It prevents anyone from looking at your credit score and history, which will stop pre-approved credit offers from being made in your name. These are not only irritating when they come through the mail every week, but can also pose a risk if they fall into the hands of identity thieves who can use them to apply for credit in your name.
Computer Protection
No one should be accessing the Internet without the latest, up to date anti-malware software on their computers, and some identity protections services such as Identity Guard provide their members with comprehensive software protection suites, to ensure your computer is protected against malicious programs such as trojans, viruses and worms, which can all compromise the security of your system.