(PRLEAP.COM) [Syracuse, N.Y.] In 2006, an estimated 10 million people were victims of identity theft. This is a staggering statistic; one that has identity theft experts clamoring for legislation that allows consumers to freeze their credit report with companies like Experian, Acxiom/TransUnion and Equifax. At first glance, this appears to be a logical reaction to the violating crime of identity theft.

Consumers need to stop reacting to identity theft and start taking positive steps in the direction of preventing identity theft; and consumers need to do this before it’s too late.

Of the 10 million victims of identity theft last year, 70 percent of them had crimes committed against them that had nothing to do with a credit card or loan and would therefore not be picked up by a credit report,” says Michael J. Durnack, president and CEO of Identity Defense. Durnack goes on to say, “black market is booming for individuals names and IDs for thieves tosell, which creates more of an incentive forWith the world full of sophisticated computer hackers to obtain them inmass quantities., drug addicts and the increase of security breaches at many worldwide institutions, the problem will only get worse before it gets better.”

The end to this problem can be as simple as consumer education. Identity Defense has created a proprietary ID risk assessment tool that categorizes the threat level of an individual’s risk to identity theft.. When the assigned ID risk level has been determined, personalized recommendations for modifying habits and behaviors to reduce risk are offered with Identity Defense’s Customized Personal Report (CPR). The process is simple and gives the consumer control of his personal information.

Durnack states, “This is fire prevention, not firefighting.”

For more information and to learn how to take back control of your personal information, go to www.IdentityDefense.com .

About ID Risk Management Associates: ID Risk Management Associates (IdentityDefense.com) is a consultancy committed to helping individuals defend their identity from theft and fraud. An innovative and proprietary set of tools have been developed to help quantify vulnerability and create personalized recommendations for modifying habits and behaviors to reduce risk with Identity Defense’s Customized Personal Report (CPR). These tools are provided to individuals online at www.IdentityDefense.com and also offered directly to financial institutions, credit unions, and financial planners to offer their customers tangible Identity Defense solutions.

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