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RE: Preventing Identity Theft - Part I
People in the US should seriously also look into the concept of a security freeze/credit freeze. Brian Krebs has an excellent article on this topic which I've linked here and have copied the following summary: A security freeze essentially blocks any potential creditors from being able to view or “pull” your credit file, unless you affirmatively unfreeze or thaw your file beforehand. With a freeze in place on your credit file, ID thieves can apply for credit in your name all they want, but they will not succeed in getting new lines of credit in your name because few if any creditors will extend that credit without first being able to gauge how risky it is to loan to you.
Cyb: You are absolutely correct. As I tell my friends and family, "Use sunscreen, floss, and freeze your credit report." I've actually got a piece in process describing how to do that these days. It's a lot simpler than it used to be but still too hard and way too expensive in most states.