Identity theft risk management will soon be available from GuideOne as an endorsement to your home policy. Contact us for info on this important coverage for today.

Risk Management : The process of making and implementing decisions that will minimize the effects of loss.

Identity theft, the problem today: Identity theft is an increasing concern today with the following startling facts:

• Identity theft increased by 81% in 2002
• 9.9 Million victims reported identity theft in 2003
• 90% of homeowners fear identity theft, but few know much about preventing it
• According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America.
• Identity theft occurs when a criminal obtains a victim's name, Social Security number, address, credit card number, or other personal information, and then uses the information to commit fraud, or other crimes.
• A person's identity can be stolen in a variety of ways. Someone's billfold might be lost or stolen.
• A person may unknowingly give out personal information on the internet or over the phone.
• A criminal may steal someone's mail, or even dig through their trash to find personal documents.
• Once the criminal has the proper info, he or she is able to access the victim's bank accounts, use credit cards, apply for new credit cards, take out loans, and conduct other criminal activity.
• Not only can the victim of identity theft lose property and cash, but large debts can be run up in the victim's name and their credit rating destroyed. 
• It can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, lost wages, and other related expenses to resolve it.
• Victims can for months, and at times, years, trying to restore their identity, financial records, and credit. They may also lose job opportunities and even get arrested for crimes not committed.  

Tips that can help you prevent identity theft: