Book Value

Identity Theft Toolkit: How to Recover From and Avoid Identity Theft
By John Lenardon
$15.95; to order, visit www.self-counsel.com

With his quick, to-the-point style, John Lenardon cuts to the chase in preventing and recovering from identity theft.

According to the author, identity theft is the fastest-growing non-violent crime in North America today. The silent thieves steal everything from driver's license numbers to cyber addresses and Internet passwords. Even your family members' names and birth dates are a target.

The toolkit’s information-packed Contents makes it easy to zero in on topics of interest. Topics include shopping securely, keeping safe on the Internet, credit and debit card use, investment fraud and protecting children. But dozens of other identity concerns are addressed.

As well, the 147-page book includes documentation samples in dealing with the emotional and time-consuming process of identify theft. A Windows-friendly CD Rom, tucked in the back cover, illustrates sample forms and letters.

The book is geared towards both employees of corporations and individuals. Many of the practical tips you can start using today.

If nothing else, the checklist, Your Identity Risk Test, early in the book, is well worth noting.

-- Diana Cawfield