NewsFactor has a laundry list of action items to protect against online ID theft. I’d say you can read the subheader and get the gist:

Ultimately, while technology can help protect you, the fight against identity theft must be fought with common sense, informed caution, and a solid understanding of what you are up against.

For those with no common sense, you can: avoid clicks on strange email links, use Firefox, buy lots of anti-virus and anti-spyware software, periodically get your credit report, etc.

Bankrate.com posted a nice little summary regarding how to opt-out out of just about everything. Nice details on how to get credit reporting agencies to quit selling your info, thereby reducing the number of unsolicited pre-approved credit card offers you receive (thereby forcing the US Postal Service to raise the price of a first class stamp to five bucks in order to stay in business).

With all the talk of identity theft, it comes as no surprise that folks are getting more concerned about checking their credit. And when the masses get concerned about something, there is always someone out there ready to take advantage of the situation.

While this isn’t a big deal from a security or privacy standpoint (at least not yet), Techdirt pointed out that a lot of free credit report offers are really just a ploy to get you to subscribe to an expensive credit monitoring service.

I personally use myFICO.com to pick up yearly credit reports from all agencies. It isn’t free, but what I do fork up has already paid for itself in the mistakes I have found bouncing around on my reports.