ChoicePoint Inc., another consumer data collection service, stated 145,000 people in their database were possibly exposed to identity thieves earlier this year. At DSW Shoe Warehouse, officials acknowledged stolen credit information at 103 of its 175 stores nationwide. Hackers have also targeted databases at California State University as well as University of California, San Diego.

Many consumers now fear that using internet puts them at a higher risk of identity theft. However, surveys have shown that only 10 percent of known identity theft cases have resulted from online fraud. Dumpster diving along with phone scams account for far more ID theft than internet.

In fact you can use internet to help protect yourself from this crime in three unique ways:

1) View your banking and credit accounts online.

Ask around for companies with good customer friendly service. Some will let you off late payments time after time while others will come down like a ton of bricks. You need them to be flexible as you never know when you may run into problems

Make sure you don’t go with one because of a low introductory offer. You want a long term one as you may not have time every six months to be jumping from one to another. Before signing up for one read small print, remember it could save your business.

Look out for special bonuses companies offer. Some times companies such as Visa or American Express join with other companies to save you money on anything from shipping or office supplies