Identity theft is a modern day crime that is spreading like wildfire. To understand why, let’s look at the brief but volatile history of identity theft.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US alone. The fact that more and more people are reporting cases of identity theft and how they have become victims can attest to conclusion made by that department.

In the year 2002, 10 million people became victims of this crime. And an estimated 27.3 million Americans have been reported to be victims of the different forms of identity theft during the past 5 years.

These numbers are enough to make you consider identity theft as a serious crime that is getting more and more rampant everyday. Ever since this kind of crime had been noted in the early 1970s, counteractions are being done. But however extreme are measure are, there is really no getting through the minds of these thieves.

There are basically two forms of identity theft.

The first and most common is when someone uses your credit card information. Your information has been gotten if it was lost or stolen. It can also be because of careless handling by an employee of a company where you used the credit card to make a purchase.

The second and more dangerous form of identity theft is when someone steals your identity, and opens up credit card accounts, or cell phone accounts in your name. They can also use your social security number when getting a job or your drivers license to get a duplicate copy.

The advancing technology of today does not help any. Communications tools over the Internet are allowing criminals to think up new schemes and strategies. Besides that, identity theft can be planned and executed more easily online.

All these thieves have to do is pay a fee to an information broker to get an individual’s Social Security number. Online databases also have in them address information, while an individual’s mother’s maiden name can be found in obituaries or other public documents. Obviously, bills are sent to a different address so they will not get to you and you will start panicking.

Understanding and having enough knowledge about identity theft can be your prevention measure. Be alert and aware so you will not be among those who have suffered the consequences of this crime.

John Fitzgerald is a staff writer for http://www.preventingidentitytheftresource.com. For additional information on identity theft visit http://www.preventingidentitytheftresource.com/Articles/identity_theft.php

Protecting your children online is one of the most important daily responsibilities you have as a parent. This article will provide you with "5-Steps" that you can follow to improve your child’s safety online including the best service for helping parents with their children online, WiHood.

When we were children, we were not all connected to each other all the time, everywhere we went. Today’s children are! They take for granted that the internet is always on and with it or a cell phone, anyone can be reached in a few seconds. As a parent, the first thing you must do is to not be intimidated by the internet but enjoy it as much as they do but from your own perspective.

Step 1: How not to be intimidated by the internet, so you can be the new internet Guru in your home

If you’re a parent who does not even have an email address, you can get a free email address at www.Gmail.com or www.Hotmail.com . Once you have an email address, you will be able to join, subscribe and become part of the online community actively. That is really the secret that your kids have already figured out. By actively being a part of the internet communities, it doesn’t matter which site or service, your role or their role in society changes because you are amongst many while still sitting in your favorite chair or if your surfing using your cell phone, riding on your local bus.

The internet is a constant communication between everyone and no one, between you and a lost friend from high school, and you and your child’s teacher. You get the idea.

Step 2: Be a part of the internet community… Walk the Talk!

Children today have learned about MSN Messenger (an IM program that allows for real-time text chat), MySpace and Facebook (both are online communities where millions of people are online all day communicating with friends). In my experience, Facebook is a wonderful place for parents because within minutes you will find old classmates, friends, and lost loves. Not only will you find them, you will be communicating with them in seconds. Proof of how powerful the internet is, while writing this article an old high school friend that I have not spoken to in 20 years found me on Facebook… Yes, Facebook and MySpace are as much fun for adults as they are for kids!

Step 3: Communication

Now that you are online and really enjoying yourself by finding old and new friends, it is time to unplug from the internet and communicate with your child. This is paramount! Once you understand and feel the bug of the internet, you must talk to your kids about it -everyday. Make light conversation of it, let them discuss cool things and show you web pages that they find amazing. This is your child’s generation version of online quality time. It does not replace offline quality time but is as important to your child and you.

Step 4: Online child filtering services

Online filtering services are a must for children when they surf the internet. Don’t believe you will be around all the time to protect them, no parent can be. Many children use the internet while visiting a friend and also at the school’s library. It’s difficult for a parent to be all these places and still take care of their own responsibilities. Normal online filtering programs are not portable except for one, WiHood.

WiHood protects your child while using the internet and also provides your child with their own virtual desktop PC service online. Your child gets their very own virtual PC is how you should think about it. That virtual PC is stored on a WiHood USB bracelet that your child can carry with them everywhere they go. If your not home or they are at a friends, WiHood is protecting your child while on the internet while also helping them to do their homework.

Step 5: Do more then protect your child, educate them with the internet

There are many great internet web sites and kids will find them, I promise, but the internet is also the most powerful learning tool of our time. Make sure your kids are surfing. If you can not afford to purchase a new PC for your child, there is an online solution. Online virtual desktop companies like WiHood cater to children and parents. Contact your local school and inquire about what are their internet hours so you can reserve time for your child. Also contact the local library and find out what are their computer hours for your child.

These 5-steps are the foundation for you to protect your child on the internet and also offer to them the wonderful opportunities that the internet has to offer. I recommend you to subscribe to WiHood’s child protection and virtual desktop services. Your child deserves the best protection and tools for a wonderful internet experience.

Thomas F. Anglero is the Founder and CEO of WiHood. WiHood protects children while surfing the internet and closes the digital-divide with its virtual PC desktop service for children. WiHood is portable when using the WiHood USB braceleta virtual laptop service. http://www.WiHood.com

If you have the number or if you have checked your spouse’s cell phone and found strange numbers with no name attached, you can find out exactly who they are. There are many websites where you can enter a number, even a cell phone number and get loads of information back. So, get the number and visit a site like www.reversemobile.com. You will be able to enter the phone number into the text box and submit it. Once you have done that, you will receive access to their full name, home address, marriage information such as a certificate, arrest information, court records and much more.

This is a great idea because you are able to find out who the number belongs to without confronting your spouse and allowing him or her to know that you have been suspicious. If they have done nothing wrong, but find out you’ve been snooping through their cell phone, it could be you who is in trouble! You can maintain that trust unless you find out that something fishy is going on in your relationship. Another benefit to this is that it could be something completely innocent. You don’t want your spouse to know that you’ve been suspecting him or her of cheating and they’ve been calling a work buddy or even worse they have been orchestrating a surprise for you.

However, should you find out that your spouse has been calling someone that they shouldn't; you will have the proof so they will find it very hard to try and deny. You can pursue that any way you choose, whether you wan to call this number and let them know just how you feel, or if you want to wait and ask your spouse what has been going on behind your back. Finding out that your spouse has been calling a strange number, staying out very late or working late in combination with other signs can be terrible. You will feel betrayed, angry, sad and much more. With the websites like this that allow you to find out the truth, you don’t just have to wonder who the number belongs to. You can find out once and for all.

Cell Phone Number Lookups – Your Options

To do a cell phone number lookup, you’ll need to go to a site which provides such a service. Of course, you are probably already familiar with the countless sites on the Internet that offer free reverse lookup services.

Most of these do a great job of providing information if you’re looking for a landline number that isn’t unlisted. The bad news is that a growing number of the phone numbers we’re seeing aren’t from landlines. Free services won’t be able to help you if you’re researching a cell phone or unlisted number.

ReversePhoneDetective.com – The Best on the Net

In those cases, you’ll need to turn to a paid service. That’s not such a bad thing, usually because you’ll end up with more accurate, up-to-date information and, in the case of Reverse Phone Detective, you’ll learn more about the individual who owns the number than you probably imagined possible, like family members, relatives, and background information.

Run Your Reverse Phone Search Now:
The result will appear in the frame below.

The registration process is simple and you only need to do it once. With Reverse Phone Detective, your membership entitles you to an unlimited number of searches, so in the future you only need to log in to find what you need.

After you’ve registered, you’ll be able to do your cell phone number lookup. Simply enter the area code and seven digits of the phone number in question. After you hit “Search,” the system will make a match using the number and its extensive database of records. While most reverse lookup services contain hardly any records, Reverse Phone Detective has wide coverage across the U.S., so you’ll get your results within seconds.

When available, you’ll find out the name of the cell phone number’s owner and their address, as well as background details you won’t find through any free services.

If you want information on a certain cell phone number, then you’re better off going straight to ReversePhoneDetective.com. You will quickly find out what you need to know, and the service is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Click here to visit the official Reverse Phone Detective website and begin your search now!