11.2 Million people suffered identity theft in 2009. Mari Frank knows. Not only because she is an attorney specializing in identity theft or that she’s the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Recovering From Identity Theft. She is an identity theft victim herself. Ironically, her identity was stolen in 1996 by someone living in Ventura County.

This interview is filled with tips on preventing identity theft in the first place. If identity theft happens to you, however, this interview will also teach you what to do.

One of the more interesting tidbits Mari shared with us is that online banking—if done correctly— is safer than sending a check in the mail.

For the record, Mari and I are not related, although we share the same last name.

Listen to the interview below: