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Despite substantial efforts to reduce Identity Theft, headlines continue to indicate that no major breakthrough has been achieved. Depending on the source, it is estimated that as many as 9 Million to 15 Million victims are affected annually. Such lack of progress is illustrated in the recent headline, "Identity Theft is increasing in Illinois, Montana, North Dakota" (link available at end of this article), Teya Jacobs, Associated Content, August 1, 2007. Given such lack of progress, those concerned about Identity Theft must be wondering: "are current Identity Theft Protection measures inadequate? "

It is important to note that if Identity Theft Protection measures are not implemented, it is virtually impossible to test their effectiveness. It is also important to distinguish between preventive measures and detection measures. One of the most valuable preventive measures is the ability to lock down access to your Credit Report by placing a Credit Freeze. Many states have passed such Credit Freeze laws, including Illinois, Montana and North Dakota. Unfortunately, such states waited too long to pass such laws. Credit Freeze laws became effective in North Dakota and Montana on July 1, 2007. As for Illinois, such laws became effective on January 1, 2007. It is not possible to test the effectiveness of such newly enacted laws until additional time has elapsed.

In addition, residents need to take advantage of Credit Freeze laws in order to reduce Identity Theft. The Boston Globe reported on May 22, 2007 that according to Consumer Data Industry Association, only 50,000 people had ordered Credit Freezes ( "Group Says ID Theft Victims Seldom Freeze Credit Reports", Ross Kerber - link available at end of this article). At that time, that represented only 0.03% of the population where such laws were effective, or 3 people for every 10,000 residents. Despite such low penetration rate, there is no question that the ability to lock down access to your credit report holds the key to Identity Theft Protection for the following reasons:

A- Identity Theft Criminals will not be able to open new Credit and Loan Accounts in your name. A Credit Freeze prevents unauthorized access to your Credit Report. In essence, it locks your Credit Report. With a very few legal exceptions, when you place a credit Freeze, no one can access your Credit Report unless you have removed such Credit Freeze on a permanent basis, or on a temporary basis. You have the ability to remove the freeze on a temporary basis, typically either for a specified period of time, or for a specified creditor, in order to allow authorized access to your Credit Report. Since Creditors typically request access to your Credit Report prior to issuing new Credit or Loan Accounts, applications by Identity Theft Criminals who attempt to secure such accounts in your name should be rejected while a Credit Freeze is in place.

B- Illegal immigrants may not be able to secure employment using your social security number. Many employers require access to the Credit Report of job applicants. There has been many instances where illegal immigrants were provided with stolen social security numbers, which were then used in their job application. If you have a Credit Freeze in place, employers who conduct a Credit Check on their applicants will not be able to access your Credit Report, and in such case, should not hire the applicant using your social security number. This can potentially save you from unpaid IRS taxes, associated with your stolen social security number. Meanwhile, if you are looking for employment for yourself, you can remove your Credit Freeze on a permanent or temporary basis .

Criminals typically engage in Identity Theft either for monetary gain, or to secure employment. When such motives are eliminated through a Credit Freeze, there is a high likelihood that Identity Theft can be reduced. Other Identity Theft Protection measures that have been adopted by consumers have been effective in other regards. For example, although Credit Monitoring is not effective in Preventing Identity Theft, it is effective in Detecting Identity Theft, hence limiting your potential financial damage in case you are victimized (by enabling you to take defensive measures when you realize you have become a victim).