Description

Identity theft is more dangerous than ever! The bad guys are smarter, more sophisticated, more organized -- and as we live more of our lives online, we expose far more personal information to them. Now, identity theft expert Steve Weisman reveals today's worst new threats, and presents today's most practical preventive techniques. Weisman shows how social media, mobile devices, and the 'cloud' have created massive new risks, and how groups ranging from local hackers to foreign organized crime syndicates are exploiting them. He offers indispensable new guidance for avoiding risks, minimizing risks that can't be completely avoided, and reducing damage after an attack. This is the first book to offer complete, up-to-the-minute coverage of identity theft associated with:

• Facebook and other social media
• iPads and other tablets
• iPhones, Android phones, and other smartphones
• iPods and other media players
• Cloud-based applications
• New online banking and personal finance sites

Weisman shows how to avoid new forms of identity theft targeting medical records, the elderly, and military service members. He objectively reviews new products that claim to help consumers avoid identity theft. He even previews tomorrow's threats, such as radio-enabled (RFID) credit cards. This book isn't just an indispensable wake-up call: it's a comprehensive source of realistic solutions.

Features

The most up to date guide to avoiding identity theft TODAY -- including attacks via Facebook, smartphones, iPads, and the 'cloud.'

• Completey updated, this new edition is a wakeup call about the newest threats to your identity and personal information
• Specific, proven ways to fix damage after an attack
• Specific discussions of threats from social media sites like Facebook and new hand held digital devices such as smartphones

Table of Contents

Introduction     1
Chapter 1: Identity Theft     3
Chapter 2: Making Yourself Less Vulnerable to Identity Theft     25
Chapter 3: Danger on the Computer and What to Do If You Are the Victim of Identity Theft     43
Chapter 4: Your Social Security Number--An Identity Thief’s Lucky Number     63
Chapter 5: Criminal Identity Theft, Taxes--And More Arresting Problems     81
Chapter 6: Technology, Business, and Government Fight Identity Theft     105
Chapter 7: Financial Privacy Please: The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act     119
Chapter 8: Credit Reports     127
Chapter 9: Congress Deals with Credit Reports and Identity Theft: The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act     151
Chapter 10: Protecting Your Privacy--A Key to Preventing Identity Theft     161
Chapter 11: ID Theft—Security Software     169
Chapter 12: The Dangers of Data Breaches     171
Chapter 13: Identity Theft Insurance--Worth the Price?     181
Chapter 14: Identity Theft after Death     185
Chapter 15: Identity Theft and the Elderly     189
Chapter 16: Identity Theft from Children     195
Chapter 17: Identity Theft Risks of Smartphones and Other Mobile Devices     201
Chapter 18: Identity Theft Threats with Credit Cards and Debit Cards     211
Chapter 19: Medical Identity Theft     219
Chapter 20: Identity Theft and Social Media     225
Chapter 21: Form Letters     235
Chapter 22: Steve’s Rules     273
Index     281 

Back Cover

“There’s no better authority on preventing identity theft than Steve. He knows the latest tactics employed by the bad guys who are committing this ever-evolving crime. This book is an important and invaluable read.”
-- Mike Nikitas, news and business anchor, NECN (New England Cable News)

“Identity thieves never stop probing for weakness. Fortunately, attorney Steven Weisman never stops countering their moves. This is a book that could literally save you from total financial ruin. Get it now. Read it now. Heed it now.”
-- Jim Bohannon, talk host, Dial Global Radio Networks

“The digital age has brought us many benefits, but it has also brought opportunity to the identity thieves who are able to use our computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices to steal our identities and cause tremendous harm. If you have a smartphone, you must read this book.”
-- Thom Hartmann, nationally and internationally syndicated radio and television talk show host and author of four New York Times bestsellers

“Weisman punctuates the frightening realization that no matter how vigilant we may try to be, anyone can still be exposed to the serious threat of identity theft. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes that they are well prepared and ready for the worst. Trust me. You’re not!”
-- Mike Baxendale, cohost of the Bax & O’Brien Show, WAQY-Springfield, MA

“In this digital age, Steve Weisman is your new best friend, and unlike your ‘friends’ on Facebook, he will not put you in danger of identity theft. This book is a must-read for anyone who has a computer or smartphone or uses social media.”
-- Doug Stephan, host of the Good Day Show and the Talk Radio Countdown

“In a world where increasingly we’re becoming victims of our own technology, Steven Weisman has written a book that every consumer, make that every individual, should keep close by.”
-- Steve Goss, WABE-FM Atlanta Morning Edition host


Protect Yourself from Today’s Dangerous New Forms of Identity Theft!

• Prevent new ID attacks via Facebook, smartphones, iPads, Wi-Fi, and the cloud
• Offers today’s best techniques for fixing damage after you’ve been attacked
• Objectively reviews products that claim to help you prevent identity theft

Identity theft is more dangerous than ever! The bad guys are smarter, more sophisticated, more organized--and as we live more of our lives online, we’re exposing far more personal information to them. Now, identity theft expert Steve Weisman reveals today’s worst new threats and helps you systematically reduce your vulnerabilities.

Weisman shows how social media, mobile devices, and the cloud have created major new dangers and how groups ranging from local hackers to foreign organized crime syndicates are exploiting them. He offers indispensable new guidance for avoiding risks, minimizing risks that can’t be completely avoided, and quickly halting the damage after an attack.

Packed with checklists, sample letters, and other practical tools, this is today’s one indispensable guide to protecting what matters most: your identity!
 
Includes exclusive must-read information about new attacks on

• Senior citizens
• Children
• Military service members
• Anyone who’s recently visited a doctor or hospital

 

Author

Steve Weisman hosts the radio show A Touch of Grey, syndicated to 50+ stations nationwide, including WABC (NYC) and KRLA (LA). A senior lecturer at Bentley College, he is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The legal editor for Talkers Magazine and a monthly columnist for the American Institute of Economic Research, he writes for publications ranging from The Boston Globe to Playboy and earned an ABA Certificate of Merit for excellence in legal journalism. His books include The Truth About Avoiding Scams, featured on Dr. Phil and CNN. Weisman holds a J.D. degree from Boston College Law School. He also operates the website www.scamicide.com, which provides the latest information on scams and identity theft.