Preventing Identity Theft for Dummies

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.)

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.

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!