Identity theft detection continues to be a growing industry, helping to protect millions of businesses and consumers against losing hard-earned profits. With identity theft on the rise, it's important to familiarize yourself with the red flags that surround identity theft schemes. By becoming more knowledgeable in protecting yourself against identity theft, as well as detecting it ,when and if it should happen, you are setting your business up for continual successes.

Protecting yourself from identity theft is, without a doubt, extremely important. Getting identity theft detection help can save you money.

1. Learn about identity theft detection practices via an attorney.

2. Sign up with internet service providers to monitor your accounts.

3. Utilize identity theft detection programs available on your computer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire an attorney to provide you with identity theft detection services and counsel

Hiring an attorney can benefit your businesses in more than one avenue. Attorneys, who provide services in identity theft, can help detect identity theft when it happens and provide you legal aid, if such theft occurs. Having an attorney is a smart way of obtaining identity theft detection information and determining your business rights.

I recommend: For a small monthly fee, Pre-Paid Legal will provide you with legal services, including identity theft detection and counsel. FindLaw provides an identity theft detection directory of lawyers who offer identity theft detection services in the United States.

Utilize virtual identity theft detection provider services

With identity theft on the rise, monitoring your information has become a new service available on the internet. For reasonable monthly (or yearly) fees, you can hire an identity theft detection supplier to provide you with detection services. Such companies will monitor your daily activities and inform you of anything suspicious. If such activities occur, the provider will put a fraud alert on all business cards and accounts.

I recommend: LifeLock and TrustedID are two of the most popular and respected identity theft detection providers. These providers guarantee your business with identity theft detection and protection up to $1,000,000.

Install identity theft detection programs on your computer

There are quite a few computer programs available that scan your company computers, emails and websites for identity theft attempts. You can purchase these programs from an identity theft detection website. Installing these programs onto your computer and computers within your company may help raise an awareness flag and protect your business from falling prey to identity theft.

I recommend: The identity theft detection site, Symantec, scans web pages and emails for malware and keywords associated with phishing attempts. When it detects a phishing attempt, the program notifies you immediately. AntiVir is a top-notch, best-of-the-best virus scanner and computer protection program. AntiVir's premium edition, designed for businesses, provides many security measures that other programs do not.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do not give any information to anyone claiming to be collecting payment or verifying your information (including collections calls). Instead, verify their name and the company they are calling for, hang up and call the company yourself. This identity theft detection can prevent you from unknowingly costing yourself thousands of dollars.