Many of reported data breaches involve computer hacking. Once computer data has been stolen (credit cards, social security numbers, addresses, etc) those affected have no control over whose hands their personal information will end up in.

At that point, if your personal information has not already been compromised (one can check their credit report to see if any new accounts have been opened that are unfamiliar to them) it is good to have some sort of monitoring service that will alert you when new credit is opened in your name or when derogatory credit actions are taken against you. This will give a person time to report any illegal activity to the authorities and begin to clear up any fraudulent accounts long before waiting for their annual credit report “checkup”. If your monitoring service offers it, take advantage of the help they will provide in clearing your name when someone else is using your credit.

One advantage that is not being wisely used is (more…)