Benefits consulting firm Towers Perrin reported that five laptops containing data about tens of thousands of retirement-plan participants were stolen. It's the latest in a string of thefts raising concerns about identity theft.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Question: I have enjoyed your many articles on mortgage fraud, particularly a recent one about the mob getting into the act. But I was hoping to see some pointers as to what a consumer should watch out for. Any ideas? Jim Carvin

New federal online-security guidelines required financial institutions to have a working plan in place by Dec. 31, but many are still firming up their procedures.

A small but increasing number of banks now offer to protect clients when an identity thief has been snooping around, even on outside accounts.

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Some people like carrying both an umbrella and a raincoat, figuring they can never be too well covered in the event of a storm.

More states are letting consumers freeze their credit files as an antifraud strategy. Credit-rating agencies and others, however, are not fans. Ron Lieber takes a look at how easy it is to freeze and then unfreeze credit reports.

The FBI, which has traditionally focused on domestic crime, is extending its reach beyond U.S. borders and boosting cooperation with other law-enforcement agencies in pursuit of cybercriminals.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- More and more people are victims of identity theft, especially as the perpetrators find increasingly high-tech methods to raid your confidential data. But the old-fashioned way -- rifling through someone's trash for personal info

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- It's the most wonderful time of the year, or so the song goes. But it's also the time when Americans, full of holiday cheer, are most susceptible to identity theft.

A number of states are enacting credit-freeze laws that allow consumers to block businesses from reviewing their credit reports in an effort to combat the identity-theft epidemic.