Kerry, an identity theft victim, speaks about the number of times her credit was attacked in the years following her stolen identity. Matt, Victim Advisor at the Identity Theft Resource Center, provides insight on how to most effectively address an identity theft case.

Ever wonder how the generations stack up in terms of credit and debt? This infographic shows just that, and reminds us that while we're all at different stages, we have something to protect.

Tax time fraud is especially dangerous for minors, whose Social Security numbers are not yet used for credit acquisition or work purposes by their legitimate owners, thus making the fraud less likely to be detected. Claiming a child fraudulently on an otherwise legitimate return is also an effective scam being done with increasing frequency.

If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, a lot is at stake. With your unique number, a thief can apply for credit, even a mortgage, in your name. According to the SSA, there are some steps to take to get your card replaced.

Raising a teenager in today’s well-connected world is challenging for many reasons. Among these, the risk of identity exposure is significantly heightened thanks to the influx of technological advances like smart phones, social networking, and ever greater ease of access to the Internet. The problem may be compounded if your teenager is savvier than you are in the use and operation of these various technologies. If you’re concerned about the risk your teen may present to themselves or your family in the field of informational privacy, here are a few things you can do to minimize your child’s risk.

Identity theft can happen in so many different ways, with the ultimate goal being dividing you from valuable information that can give the culprit access to your finances or identity. One method that has been around for a while is known as the jury duty scam. This scam relies on catching you off guard and getting you to give a complete stranger access to your bank account information.

Identity thieves won’t tell you they’re using your personal information, but ProtectMyID will. You will be alerted of any new activity that could indicate identity thieves are at work. This could be a new credit account opened using your SSN, a loan application, or even someone trying to change your address to re-route your bills. With early notification, ProtectMyID helps you stop the damage before it gets out of hand.

You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.

A former Mississippi office manager was sentenced to 89 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

All tax preparers are created equal, right? Not necessarily. While they may operate under the same tax laws, tax preparers might not operate with the same ethics. The IRS advises you to choose a tax preparer carefully. The person who prepares your taxes has access to highly sensitive personal and financial information. Plus, you’re ultimately responsible for what’s on your tax return no matter who prepares your documents.