Experts Offer Consumers Guidelines for Identity Theft Protection During the Highest Season for Reported Incidents

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday shopping season just around the corner and consumers gearing up for "Cyber Monday" and "Black Friday" sales, Identity Theft 911, America's leading provider of identity theft resolution and fraud education services, is offering some of the best ways consumers can protect themselves against identity theft. According to company statistics, anywhere from two to four identity theft crimes are reported every hour of the holiday shopping season.

"The annual holiday shopping season is a peak time for identity theft, so it's critical that consumers be on high alert and educate themselves in order to help reduce the risk of becoming victims," said Adam Levin, Chairman, Identity Theft 911. "The last thing anyone wants is to become an identity theft target, and by taking the necessary precautions shoppers nationwide can help ensure they'll have a more enjoyable holiday season."

Identity Theft 911 offers these tips for safer holiday shopping:

1. When shopping online, look for a small "padlock" icon in your browser -- often in the address bar or in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window. If the icon appears, it means the site has been verified to be secure (and is likely legitimate).

2. Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Debit cards are the gateway to your bank or checking account, while credit cards offer greater liability protections.

3. Keep your credit card numbers to yourself. Don't store credit card and personal information in any online accounts, especially if you use the same password for several different ones.

4. Check your bank and credit card statements and accounts every day to make sure each transaction is yours. And remember that shopping Web sites have no reason to ask you for your Social Security number or passwords, so do not ever provide them.

5. Never send payment information via e-mail; these communications are not secure.

6. Don't use ATM machines that are in secluded areas. They are more likely to be equipped with card readers than an ATM in or near a bank. And when shopping in stores and malls, be sure to safeguard your purse or wallet -- and your credit cards.

For more information on Identity Theft 911, please visit: www.identitytheft911.com.

Press Contacts:

    Christopher Bacey
    Identity Theft 911
    (732) 951-8221 - Office
    (480) 316-0211 - Mobile
    cbacey@identitytheft911.com

    Andrew Worob
    Ruder Finn for Identity Theft 911
    (212) 715-1536 - Office
    (845) 304-6521 - Mobile
    woroba@ruderfinn.com

About Identity Theft 911®

Protecting more than 30 million Americans, Identity Theft 911 is a leader in identity management and identity theft remediation and resolution solution services to businesses and consumers on behalf of its 450 client institutions, as well as in comprehensive data breach preparedness (including incidence response plans), compliance, and notification and remediation services that are currently found in more than 150,000 businesses.

SOURCE Identity Theft 911

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