Just noticed that PrivacyMatters is promoting its Identity Theft Report service (identity report). I’ve been pushing for greater awareness of the difference between credit monitoring and identity monitoring and I’m glad to see that some are getting the message.

While I strongly recommend credit monitoring (and use it) I’ve also cautioned that credit monitoring on its own is not a total solution to identity theft. For example, while credit monitoring will alert you if someone tries to open a new credit account in your name, it won’t detect if someone uses your name or social security number when they’re arrested – a simple con that could leave you fighting a false criminal record for years.

What most consumers don’t realize is that not all identity theft is about credit card fraud. Thieves will use stolen information simply to hide their own identity, and because it may not appear on your credit report as an alert your identity may be falsely used by others for years without you ever being aware.

Services like the Identity Theft Report go beyond credit reports alone, and monitor thousands of other public databases for any signs that someone else might be using your name, Social Security number, address, or other personal information.

It will also give you a wide view of all the information that exists about you in public databases, and any incorrect information that the public might have access to. I always think that the more you know about what others know about you, the better prepared you are to protect yourself.