Protecting yourself from identity theft doesn't cost a thing. That's right, you can do everything we offer on your own absolutely free. If you decide to skip the hassles of doing it yourself, try Private ID, for $107.88 year, we provide the same identity theft protection services and guarantees as Lifelock, TrustedID and IdentityGuard for less.

Here is how:

1. Setting the Fraud Alerts:  First, contact one of the three credit bureaus: Equifaxs888.766.0008, Experians888.397.3742 or TransUnions800.680.7289.  Go through their automated phone system and find the option to set Fraud Alerts.  You are only supposed to have to call one of the agencies and they should notify the others, but there’s no guarantee they will or if they do how long it will take, so be safe and repeat this step for all three agencies.
   
   Completing this step will set the alerts on your credit so if anyone tries to get new credit under your name, you will be notified, and credit will not be issued until you authorize the transaction. This stops identity theft in its tracks and is a much more valuable measure than credit monitoring which puts the burden on you to detect your identity has been stolen.
   
   
2. Stop the Junk Mail:  Did you ever wonder why so many banks and insurance companies keep mailing you pre-approved financial offers?  Well, the credit bureaus sell your data for the purpose of putting together pre-screened offers.  This can be a source of identity theft.  If an identity thief gets his hands on one of these pre-approved letters, everything he needs to establish credit under your identity is right there.
   
   Completing this step will keep the credit bureaus from selling your personal information to companies that want to offer you those great high interest credit card offers that identity thieves love to receive on your behalf.
   
   
3. Credit Monitoring:  Steps one and two go a long way toward protecting you from identity theft.  But these requirements create some inconveniences for credit bureaus and credit issuers, so sometimes the alerts might get overlooked.  The best way to mitigate that risk is to get copies of your credit reports to make sure no one is using your credit without you knowing about it. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the agencies per year. It’s best to spread the credit reports over time so that you can check for fraud throughout the year rather than just once a year. 
   
   Completing this step will require the agency mail you a free copy of your credit report giving you the opportunity to verify that steps one and two have worked and your identity is safe.
   
   
4. Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat:  Ok, this is the never ending and tedious part of the do-it-yourself approach to protecting your identity.  Repeat step 1 every 90 days.Repeat step 2 every five years or fill out and mail the form for a permanent opt-out election.  Repeat step 3 every four months.
   
   Completing this step keeps your identity safe.
   
   
5. What if your Identity is Stolen Anyway?  It is still possible, if you find something on your credit report contact the company that issued the credit and go through the process of repairing your credit.  The credit card company should fix the problem, but you never know how long it will take or how bad it will mess up your life during this process.   By the way, the do-it-yourself approach does not come with a one million dollar guarantee.