Looking at a chronology of data breaches compiled by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, it seems you can’t even go a week without significant numbers of people having their identifying information stolen.
In fact, nearly 28 million people were victims of identity theft between 2005 and 2007, according to a nationwide survey by Javelin Strategy and Research, a consultancy firm for the financial services and payment industries. The constant news of data losses and the heightened awareness of victimization have fueled a growing industry built around monitoring individuals’ credit.
Beth Givens, director of the education and advocacy group Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, doesn’t see great value in the credit monitoring services scrambling to get your attention. In fact, she says much of what they offer is available to consumers at no charge.
Still, if you use credit a lot – and especially if you believe you’re a potential target for ID theft – one service stands out. The Globe’s pick, LoudSiren by Debix, charges $24 a year per adult and $40 for a couple. For a fraction of competitors’ prices, Debix also offers an innovative telephone verification system anytime someone tries to access your credit.
