Many of us have taken measures to protect ourselves against identity theft, but, how well are you protecting yourself from corporate ID theft?

Karen Stiles of the TODAY’S TMJ4 Call 4 Action office has more information about the newest form of ID theft and why this could end up costing you money.

Corporate ID theft occurs when someone misuses the identity of a business for the purpose of committing fraud. This can be anything from stealing a corporate logo to set up a fictitious Web site that could be used to phish information from consumers, obtaining credit in a corporate name or using a corporate identity to hack into systems or to trick others into releasing personal information, and that personal information could be about you.

To protect yourself against corporate ID theft, if you get an unsolicited e-mail that asks you to click on a link for what appears to be your bank, or some other business, think twice, especially if you are asked for security or other personal information. Look for tell tale signs that the corporate ID may be in jeopardy such as fuzzy logos, misspellings or lack of contact and other corporate information. Also, watch out for suspicious phone calls or letters, especially if you receive them on a weekend or holiday.

If you suspect corporate ID theft, most importantly, do not click on links or release personal information until you can check things out at an address or phone number that you know to be legitimate. Let the business know of suspicious activity as soon as possible, and also, file a complaint with the consumer agencies like the Federal Trade Commission. This can help others from falling victim in the future.