Express Business News

The advertisements are intentionally frightening: If someone steals your identity, you could lose your home, your job, even your life.

The ads are meant to scare you into buying identity-theft protection. And while the problem is real, insurance isn’t always the answer.

In fact, most consumers could better protect their identities if they guard their Social Security numbers, read their bank and credit-card statements, request their free credit reports and enroll in state security freeze programs.

“If it hits, it could be quite destructive to your life for a long time,” said Linda Foley, co-director of the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego. “Identity theft is not a picnic, but it is repairable.”...

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