Identity Theft Alert: 10 Rules You Must Follow to Protect Yourself from America’s #1 Crime

1. Identity Theft

Identity theft can result in your being hounded by debt collectors for debts you did not incur; becoming unable to access your own credit cards, bank accounts, or brokerage accounts; having your assets stolen; being arrested for crimes committed by people who have stolen your identity; or even receiving improper medical care because your medical identity has been stolen and your medical records have been corrupted. In addition, identity theft can ruin your credit rating, which can affect your chances to get a loan, get a job, get insurance, or rent a home.

Identity theft is the number-one consumer fraud in America, according to the Federal Trade Commission. According to a study by Javelin Strategy & Research, there were 12.6 ...