Preventing Identity Theft For Dummies (Paperback)

~ Michael J. Arata Jr. (Author) "Identity theft happens when someone (the identity thief) uses another person's personal information (such as name, Social Security number, and date of birth) to fraudulently..." (more)
Key Phrases: rated file cabinet, phony bank examiner, fraud affidavit, Fair Credit Reporting Act, American Express, Postal Inspection Service (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

• Twenty-seven million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years and the total cost of identity theft approaches $48 billion per year (total costs to businesses are $43 billion and the direct cost to consumers is $5 billion)
• These staggering statistics have prompted security consultant Michael Arata to provide readers with the resources they need to guard themselves against identity theft
• In this valuable book, Arata offers easy-to-follow, straightforward advice on understanding identity theft, minimizing risk, maintaining vigilance, choosing who to share personal information with, selecting hard-to-guess PINs, determining victimization, reviewing a credit report, charting a course of action, resolving credit problems, reclaiming good credit, and much more
• Explains how to recover successfully if identity theft does occur
• Author Michael Arata, CISSP, CPP, CFE, ACLM, is a veteran of the security industry with more than fifteen years of experience

From the Back Cover

Protect yourself from America’s fastest growing crime

See how loose lips sink credit ratings and why there’s no safety in numbers

How is a dumpster diver like a wallet snatcher? Both are out to hijack your identity, so dive into this book and find out how to fight back! Discover why every home needs a shredder, what your bank statement can tell you, and how to reclaim your good name if it’s already too late.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Recognize and avoid common scams
• Guard your privacy effectively
• Act promptly if theft occurs
• Read your credit report
• Choose secure passwords
• Report identity theft to the right people

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; illustrated edition edition (July 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764573365
• ISBN-13: 978-0764573361
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #871,583 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EASY/MUST READ !, December 1, 2004

By	K Mc - See all my reviews

Althought I've never personally been touched by the horror of I.D. Theft I have heard far too many stories on the subject. Over the years I've collected a number of books, tapes, cd's, etc. on the subject ( alot of work) and I'm glad that Mr. Arata has taken on the challenge of putting together the PERFECT reference book.

This books contains everything you need (in one place) to better position yourself against becoming a victim. The information is presented in language you can understand and apply immediately. If this book had been available when I first started collecting information, my collection would be housed in the form of this book and this book only. IT HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED! Way to go MR. ARATA.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, January 25, 2005

By	dennis wentraub (schenectady, new york USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's an old joke about two campers who hear a menacing bear in the woods. One camper asks for the other's sneakers. "You can't outrun a bear", he is told. The first camper responds, "I just need to outrun you". This book will give you sneakers. It will make you a harder target for those people who want your good name and money, because having read the book, the author's recommendations will henceforth seem just good common sense. One day I was walking my dog and bent over to pick up a torn copy of my wife's brokerage statement that had blown half a block from our trash barrel. Get a shredder! Some companies may even allow employees to add their own documents to their secure disposal service bins for sensitive data marked for destruction. Mail that has our names, birthdates, social security numbers, account numbers, etc. can be used by others with fraudulent intent to open accounts for their benefit. Many of us have seen our credit reports, but did you know that a combined report from the three major credit agencies is available and why it might be important to see this side-by-side comparison? Bottom line: If you are a victim of identity theft this book will give you practical advice on who to contact and what forms to fill-out. The information in this book is important and it is presented in a straightforward, highly-readable format. (Editorial note: Chapter 15's "Ten Common Scams..." lists the "Nigerian letter", but neither it nor its more recent email mutations are discussed in what follows.)

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for everyone!, August 20, 2004

By	Sylvia Cook (Chicago) - See all my reviews

After watching my sister go through the nightmare of having her identity stolen, I was determined to do everything I could to protect my family and friends in the future. I read Mr. Arata's extremely helpful and easy-to-follow advice from cover to cover... I now make everyone I know read a copy! So many people think that identity theft won't happen to them - but as this book reminds us, it's so easy for theives to take our most valuable information, unless you take proper precautionary steps. Thank you Mr. Arata for helping all us of!