Anyways, to answer your question – no, I have not had my identity stollen as far as I know. I am computer literate and don’t click on links in those emails. I only shop at reputable companies online and when I do make a purchase, I always use Citi’s virtual account number, sometimes even put a limit on it if it is a company that I have not dealt with before. By the way, the biggest reason is not the fear that it will be intercepted during my transaction, but because pretty much all companies store that information on their servers and it is bound to be hacked at some point. By using virtual one-time use numbers, even if they get out, oh well, they can’t be used again.

I shred all mail credit card applications and anything else that have my name/account number on it (magazine subscription offers, etc). I put my phone number on the do-not-call list so I do not get telemarketing calls. I scan my credit, banking, and housing reports regularly (and for free).

One more thing I have always wanted to do is put all phone numbers from the cards I carry in my wallet (banking, credit, insurance, etc) into my phone so if I do part with it, I can call everyone right away (and the credit bureaus of course). I have been putting it away for at least a year now (sigh…) but I am doing it now thanks to your post!

Good luck, it’s jungle out there!

Within a couple of hours, I had contracted with a company called LifeLock (www.lifelock.com), which offers protection in the event of identity theft. They contacted all the credit reporting bureaus to be on the lookout for potential fraud alert on my behalf, as well as monitored activity in my accounts and looked for attempts to open new accounts and the sources of inquiries into my credit ratings. When I opened a new checking account at a local bank, the fraud alert popped up on my SSN and they took an extra step to verify my identity because of it.

I know there are other services that offer fraud protection, as well as each credit card company offers it, but this service covered all of my credit and banking relationships in one fell swoop, without having to deal with each company one by one. It was worth it to me to buy a little piece of mind.

I never did recover my purse or any of its contents, so identity theft still remains a real possibility considering the ease in which it can be perpetrated. I watch my credit reports much more frequently now and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Keep spreading the message. Identity theft is a real problem and needs to be addressed by individuals, businesses, and governments.

Here’s the link to my personal story:
http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/my-identity-was-stolen/