The Hughes Team

MONITOR YOUR CREDIT USING FREE TOOLS -- The Associated Press

You dont need a hired gun to fend off identity theft. New data shows ID theft topped the list of complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission for the 11th straight year in 2010. The findings will likely result in consumers seeing a fresh barrage of offers for credit monitoring products. The ads often play on consumer fears and promote services that cost upward of $15 a month, or $180 a year. Yet there are several free or lower-cost ways to protect yourself. "Many times its just a matter of investing some time," said Adam Levin of Credit.com. "The ultimate guardian is the consumer." Identity theft can take many forms, but usually results in unauthorized charges or an application for new credit under your name. The FTC estimates that there are about 9 million ID theft victims each year.

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