Large shopping crowds and busy malls create prime openings for identity thieves. Identity theft is a crime of opportunity and thieves often take advantage of distracted shoppers, crowds, and even temporary workers to steal credit cards, debit cards, checks and Social Security numbers. Minimize the stress of the holiday shopping experience with the following tips.

The glee that accompanies a great bargain or the acquisition of a highly-sought after gift will be felt by many shoppers, and retail records will likely be broken on Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is the day many of us begin to tire of our Thanksgiving leftovers and turn our attention to the next holiday. And, the allure of promotional discounts, no sales taxes, or free shipping cannot be denied.

Once upon a time, having a wallet or purse stolen meant you were out some cash and you might have to order a few new credit cards. As identity theft has become more common, having a wallet or purse stolen these days might be just the beginning of an identity theft nightmare. In order to ensure you’re not putting yourself at unnecessary risk this holiday season, do a quick inventory of your wallet or purse so you know exactly what is (and what is not) being carried around with you when you go out.

Recently, a friend with Medicare told me she was very concerned about her full Social Security number appearing on her card. I was surprised that the SSN was being used as an identifier on such a common card, so I did a little research to learn what people can do to protect themselves.

There is so much you can do on a mobile phone these days! Many tasks you would do on a computer can now be done while on the go with a Smartphone. The dark side of this convenience is the risk users may have when the security of the mobile applications are taken for granted.

Ever thought of how well you know the functions of your phone? Ever thought of how much your phone knows about you? Your Smartphone’s knowledge, if not protected, is a potential risk to your security and privacy. The ultimate question to ask: Is my privacy and security at risk?

A Smartphone is a mobile phone with enhanced capabilities. With the increased abilities of the Smartphone, come built-in risks for exposure of personal information. There are steps Smartphone users can take in order to reduce the risks associated with using these handy devices.

Sometimes, a good link can be worth a thousand words. The purpose of this post is to provide members of the military with links to sites where they can find out more information about identity management and protection, identity theft, and other resources available to them.

Nearly a century ago, World War I ended on November 11, 1918. One year later, President Wilson selected November 11 as a day to honor those who had represented the country in the armed forces and it the date became a legal holiday in 1938. However, feeling gratitude for the country’s service men and women doesn’t extend to identity thieves. In fact, members of the military are at greater risk of identity theft and many don’t know how to protect themselves.

Knowing how to protect your privacy when it comes to your mobile device begins with knowing the terms used to describe its features, functionality and the risks that can accompany the technology.