This week provided yet more scary evidence of the growing rise of identity theft in the USA. Retailer TJX Cos, Inc., owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls department stores revealed that information from 45.7 million credit and debit cards was stolen in a computer security breach over 18 months through mid-January.

Other information, including names, addresses and personal ID numbers for about 451,000 people who returned merchandise without a receipt, was also stolen, the operator of the T.J. Maxx and Marshall's chains said in a regulatory filing.

When even major retailers cannot be trusted to keep your data safe, it is clear that the responsibility falls upon the consumer. ID Theft Protection plans are becoming increasingly popular. The leading plan, provided by Prepaid Legal, Inc., in partnership with Kroll (a world-leader in security protection) offers consumers protection for $12.95 per month, or just $9.95 if combined with a Prepaid Legal Plan.

The plan offers continuous credit monitoring and instant alerts if a suspicious transaction occurs. If someone attempts to take out a credit card or loan in your name, you are instantly contacted for verification.

If you ever hand your credit cards to waiters at restaurants, sign your cards, supply personal information over the internet, keep your social security information in your wallet, leave mail for your postal carrier to collect, or dispose of junk mail without shredding it, you are increasing your chances of ID Theft and such protection becomes vital. The Prepaid Legal/Kroll plan also provides for identity restoration, which can take an individual somewhere from 200-600 hours to do on their own, with an average cost of $1200. With this plan, you give a limited power of attorney to the company and they do the work for you, at no additional expense.

More and more, ID Theft protection is looking like a sensible precaution. Just like having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, you hope you will never need it, but if you do, youll be incredibly glad it was there.