The Truth About Identity Theft

The Truth About Identity Theft
Jim Stickley
FT Press
ISBN: 0-7897-3793-0
Non-Fiction, Security
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

Identity theft. Only a few years ago, most of us didn’t realize that we were at risk. We try to be more diligent. We cover our keypad when we use our debit card and delete spam when we check our email.

Despite our best efforts, each and every one of us is at real risk of identity theft. Pick up a copy of The Truth About Identity Theft and you’ll see what I mean. Have you ever used an ATM machine that was outside a store? Have you ever checked your email using a public access computer, perhaps at the library, an airport, or at a hotel? Do you use a wireless modem? Have you ever used your credit card to make a charitable donation? Have you ever bought or received a gift card? Have you every applied for a pre-approved credit card?

The list is endless and what you’ll find out is frightening. The truly scary part is that the author makes his living from hacking into people’s personal information. Companies and individuals contract him to find flaws in their systems. Surprisingly, even with companies that seem very secure, it is the little things that leave them open to attack. Even though we think we are being careful, the majority of us unknowingly leave ourselves completely open to identity theft.