The announcement of a new email services by the social networking giants Facebook (@facebook.com) has once again brought the age-old discussion of Identity theft on the forefront. People are getting warned by “experts” of the perils of using Facebook mail, and how it could lead to disaster.

To all those doomsayers, I have this to say: nothing is going to happen if people stay alarmed.

This is not the first time, we are hearing such uproars from the far corner of the room (remember Y2K problem?), but seldom anything has happened because people are alert.

Having said that, I am not discounting the threats posed by identity scammers, but shunning a new development is not the solution. The solution is to stay prepared, and this is where our website on identity theft prevention helps you. Here again, I am going to tell you about 4 telltale signs, noticing which will save you from becoming victim of identity theft.

4 telltale signs that you are being attacked by an identity thief

1. Tapping on the greed in human nature, an identity thief will try to give some irresistible one-time offer, which according to them is being presented to you only because they are (the company the thief says he represents) honored in serving you. And he will also tell you that the offer will end as soon as you put the phone down, and you will never get a second chance to avail the benefits promised by him.
2. He will ask you to confirm your details — every bit of your details. They will want to make it sound natural, but get alert when a person from your bank or wherever ask for your details because if you are their customer they already have your details.
3. He will call you from unusual number, not the regular one you receive your bank’s call from. Do not give any detail on an incoming call.
4. He will ask for financial details. No matter who is calling you and from where. Do not share your credit card or bank details with any on phone. Do not even share your social security number.

Be on the look for any suspicious activity or piece of communication you receive, and stop talking to the person as soon as you smell something fishy. You can protect yourself from identity theft by following the suggestions given above.