By now, we've all heard of identity theft. This "new millennium" crime happens when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud and it affected more than 200,000 individuals last year, which was up 33 percent from 2002 according to the Federal Trade Commission. But did you know that people under 30 made up the largest percentage of identity theft victims? It makes sense, if you think about it: young people spend more time online than any other age group, making them the most vulnerable to this growing threat.

Why is the Internet such a popular place for identity thieves? Because it is an easy way to collect personal information, like social security numbers and account numbers. Consider this frightening thought: often, the thief needs no more computer-savvy than your Aunt Mabel to find your personal information. Are you a student who attends a college or university who list names and social security numbers together when posting grades online? If so, you're a sitting duck.

The Internet also provides an easy, anonymous way for thieves to collect your personal information via bogus Web sites. Here's one way to check their validity, see if they have "https" vs. "http" in their URL. If so, watch out since it's probably a fake.

Tips On Identity Theft Prevention

So how can you keep visiting the cyber world without risking becoming a victim? Try these tips:

Give out personal and financial data only when you initiate the phone call, and ignore e-mails or calls that claim to be from your bank or credit card company.

If a Web form is insisting you provide your Social Security or driver's license number to process a transaction, question it. Is it really necessary for the transaction? Is this the type of company or business who would really need to have that information? Remember, most types on online transactions don't require this level of information so it's a red flag.

If you do your banking online, whether through your bank or your creditors' Web sites, only use those sites that are protected with a password or Personal Identification Number (PIN). Review your account statements (both paper and online) regularly to make sure all activities are correct.

Just remember, even the most vigilant consumer is at risk for identity theft. What should you do if you think your identity has been used without your permission? File a report with the police and contact the fraud unit of one of the major credit bureaus.

Don't let your 'net surfing leave you exposed to identity thieves!

© 2008, Young Money Media, LLC

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