PLANO, Texas, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Every four seconds, an identity is stolen in the U.S. Victims can spend years recovering from theft and attempting to clean up the mess it leaves behind, including lost job opportunities, refusal of loans for houses and cars and even jail time as a result of false data in law enforcement records. The recent news that the Justice Department will prosecute 11 hackers who gained access to more than 41 million credit and debit cards is proof positive that precautions need to be taken by consumers to protect their identity. At the same time, consumers and businesses alike want to utilize the convenience of electronic payments, online commerce and other technology-based exchanges.

To help you keep your identity in shape without overly restricting your daily transactions, EDS Security and Privacy experts have identified EDS' eight tips to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft while still being able to share relevant information with those who need it:

Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request.

Be wary of calls or emails you receive from organizations which ask for personal information. Always ask or look for contact information on unsolicited requests to ensure the caller or sender is not a part of an identity theft ring. If you believe the content may be suspect, contact the company yourself to check on the request and the need for this data. Reputable companies will rarely ask you to divulge this information when they call you, and are always willing to verify their identity to you.

Review your account statements regularly to ensure that all transactions are in order.

Identity thieves typically use stolen information for only a short period of time to avoid being caught. By reviewing statements when they arrive, or utilizing your bank's online account options, you could detect a theft and limit its damage. If you suspect a security breach, act quickly by contacting the companies you do business with immediately. They want to help their customers have a positive experience, and will work to make sure the problem is resolved -- for you and for future consumers.

Check your credit report regularly.

It is good practice to check your credit report on a regular basis to ensure you are not a victim of identity theft. Consumers can now get a free copy of their credit report annually through one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.