It’s a serious crime that’s getting worse. Identity thieves are stealing people’s lives for their personal gain. Victims can suffer more than a hit to their wallet. They can have their credit score plunge with all sorts of devastating consequences.

During a TODAY Money web chat on Wednesday, Adam Levin, CEO and co-founder of Identity Theft 911 answered a variety of questions on this subject. We started with why things keep getting worse.

Adam Levin: ID theft is increasing because people over-share information on social networking sites, don’t encrypt their computers and smartphones, provide information to people they don’t know, are on databases that have been improperly accessed because government or corporate databases are not properly secured or employees click on the wrong attachment sent in a phishing email and release malware into their computers which permits unauthorized access to a hacker.

TODAY: Clearly, there’s nothing that can guarantee that someone won’t be the victim of identity theft, but there are things we can all do to improve the odds. Can you share a few tips with us?

Adam Levin: It is not preventable. There is simply too much information out there through consumer over-sharing, human error, breaches at all levels of government and business security lapses. So you need to look at the issue in three ways: 

1. Minimize your risk of exposure: Don't carry Social Security cards, don't carry your entire inventory of credit and debit cards, don't give information to people who call you - always return their call to the official number on the back of a credit or debit card, secure your computer and smartphone with the most advanced security software, shred everything in sight, never click on links that look unfamiliar, never click on pictures, never respond to charities that you don't check out

2. Engage in a culture of monitoring: Go to annualcreditreport.com, go to trusted sites where you can monitor your credit or scores free, check your bank and credit accounts daily, enroll in programs where your bank, credit union or credit card company alerts you to transactions in your accounts, enroll in credit and fraud monitoring programs if you like the price, and consider a credit freeze

3. Have a damage control program: Check with your insurance company, bank, credit union or employer if they have a program to help you through the problem. It might be free or available at minimal cost. Ask if you are enrolled, what is the cost and how you can get in.

Read the rest of the Q & A below:

For most of us, doing the income tax return is a major project. The laws are confusing and they keep changing all the time.

During a TODAY Money web chat on Wednesday, Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer with Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, answered a variety of tax questions. 

Here's one that may affect you or someone in your family:

Andrew: I owe the IRS over $2,500 this year. And I simply don’t have the money. What should I do? File an extension? Ask for a payment plan? My wife and I are freaking out. Help!

Mark Steber: First, don’t freak out. There are many like you and much help is available. Second, do not simply file for an extension, as would not likely be valid with such a balance due. The extension would be invalid and the tax return late in addition to underpaid.

Having said all of that, there are options as you note. The IRS offers a pretty good payment plan option. The plan allows up to 72 months to pay your taxes. There is a fee of $105, $52 if you agree to electronic debit of your monthly payment.

Other considerations – as we noted earlier – include possibly using a credit card for short term financing.

Read the full Q & A below:

Intimidated by couponing? Don't be, expert Collin Morgan said. She's the main writer for Hip2Save.com, TODAY.com's couponing blog. 

During a TODAY Money web chat Friday after the Everything Cheaper special show, Collin encouraged guest Amelia to be confident at the checkout counter. 

Amelia: I am a little afraid to use coupons. In my culture, using coupons has always had a stigma attached to it. People think that if you use coupons you are poor. I also don’t want to be the person holding up the line at checkout. How do I get over my fear of using coupons?

Collin Morgan: Hi Amelia! You just have to be confident knowing that you are being smart with your money. And don't think it's abnormal to feel this way at all, I talk about my feeling at the register in this post.

But having couponed for quite some time now, I definitely don't get as nervous or as fearful as I used to. 

Read the full Q&A below:

Scott Smith, Account Director Social@Ogilvy at the Ogilvy & Mather ad agency in Chicago

In all the Super Bowl ad "leaks" and "teasers" getting pushed out before the big game Sunday, the one thing that stands out is how many Super Bowl advertisers are trying to tap the power of social media to amplify their advertising dollars.

With all the hashtag fights, online voting, drawing script ideas from user tweets, fan videos and pictures making it into the Super Bowl ads, you start to wonder whether the ads during the game itself matter anymore. At an average of $3.7 million for a 30-second shot at fame, advertisers are putting earnest money down betting that they are. From the legendary Ogilvy & Mather ad agency, Scott Smith, Account Director at Social@Ogilvy, joined TODAY viewers in a live online chat to break it all down and share his top Super Bowl ad picks this year.

TODAY: Scott, this year advertisers seem to really be trying to push the social media component of their ads, although perhaps the key word is "trying." Is the attitude among Super Bowl advertisers 2013 "go viral or go home?"

SMITH:  In the same way that we saw the presidential election as the first real socially-driven election and the Olympics as the first socially-driven Olympics, the 2013 Super Bowl seems to be the first socially-driven Super Bowl.

Question from viewer Ken: Does previewing a full ad online before the game diminish the message of the ad?

SMITH: I don't think it diminishes the message. If anything, it gives the advertiser some immediate feedback they can use to inform their in-game social strategy.

Personal finance advice expert Hitha Prabhakar says the havoc wrought by the fiscal cliff on your tax prep is pretty minimal. More important is investing in a good pack folders you can get for just a few bucks.

Among the storm and thunder during the fiscal cliff wrangling was hand-wringing over how it might mess up all our taxes this year. People were worried that revised tax forms wouldn't get out in time and that the IRS might not even be able to collect taxes this year!

But in the final result, the biggest impact for regular Americans was the expiration of the Payroll Tax and if they were early filers, they would have to wait an extra week.

Personal finance advice expert Hitha Prabhakar joined us in a live online chat to help readers sort through the fiscal cliff aftermath, get their ducks in a row for tax prep time, and take a deep breath of relief.

TODAY: One of the many fiscal cliff fallouts was anxiety over what it would mean for tax time. Hitha, what's the biggest takeaway from that whole mess taxpayers should be thinking about as they get their forms together?

PRABHAKAR: I think the biggest take away regarding Fiscal Cliff with regard to 2013 taxes are two issues- the Payroll Tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax. Let's talk about the Payroll Tax first. Basically during the Fiscal Cliff negotiations, Congress decided NOT to renew a temporary payroll tax reduction. What that means for you is your paychecks are going to get a little smaller and will probably cost you close to $1,000 over the year.

Ben Popken

Steve Siebold says the secrets to wealth can be found within the pages of his book that he will sell to you.

The reason that the middle class stay in the middle instead of moving up in the world is because they're afraid of money, says multi-millionaire Steve Seibold.

He was teaching tennis lessons for a living and $50k in debt when he graduated college. Wanting to pull himself up, he began a 29-year journey of interviewing the rich and learning their secrets. What he says he found is that wealthy people fundamentally think about money differently than regular folk. The good news is that us common-born can change our station in life simply by changing the way we think about money, the premise of Siebold's new book, "How Rich People Think."

In our TODAY Money live chat, a reader asked Siebold how they as a recent college graduate should invest their $2,500 in savings.

SIEBOLD: I would invest the $2,500 in yourself through personal development. Read books by rich people, attend their seminars and study them like a scientist. That will prepare you to be rich.

TODAY: So the way to get rich is to pay rich people to tell you their secrets ... a little self-serving, no? In any event, what about the advantages the wealthy are typically born with, like an inheritance, higher education, and social connections. Don't those give them an insurmountable head start over the common born?

SIEBOLD: 2/3 of millionaires are self made, 1/3 are inherited, I interviewed the self made and anyone with a great idea can catch and pass them.

CNBC's Sharon Epperson shares her savvy tips for making the holidays special while staying on budget.

Sharon Epperson, CNBC's personal finance correspondent, and author of The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Money--and Live Richly Ever After, joined us Thursday morning for a great live chat with TODAY Money fans on how to have a holiday blow-out without blowing your budget.

Q: In order to make Christmas happen for the kids this year I took out a new credit card and didn't tell my wife. I was hoping to pay it off secretly but I don't think my sales bonus is coming through as high as I thought. What do I do?

Epperson: You've got to tell her about the credit card! In a marriage, secrets when it comes to finances can be devastating to a relationship.

Financial expert Hitha Prabhakar joined us for a chat on holiday budgeting and spending.

Savvy financial expert Hitha Prabhakar joined us for a fun and lively chat about getting through your holiday spending conundrums. How do you do it, not go crazy with stress, and still stay in budget? Is the "fiscal cliff" going to steal Christmas? And where does the smartly dressed Hitha pick up her holiday fashions without busting the bank? 

Q: I am hoping to make this holiday season a teaching moment for my two young klds (9 and 11). I want to teach about budgeting and financial management. Tips? 

Hitha: I realize holidays can be somewhat overwhelming when it comes to managing kids expectations but ALSO wanting to provide an awesome holiday for them. My advice would be to set a gift limit- say "we are going to spend $50 on gifts this year" and then we are going to use the rest of our time to volunteer. It brings it back full circle the meaning of the holidays while still participating in the joy of gift giving. I also like hand made gifts. Means more.

Q: I always overspend during the holidays. Any tips on how to stay on a budget? 

Hitha: I tend to overspend too during the holidays which is such a bummer. I tell everyone they have to take the same approach to budgeting as they take to dieting- you have to be VERY disciplined in sticking to the plan. If you have $400 to spend on gifts, decorations AND travel, try to prioritze what is most important. If you're niece and nephew need a cool gift, you may have to not take the expensive train down to see your sis and bro if you know what I mean. Also, do you use excel to make sure you are accounting for every dollar spent? It REALLY helps to see what you are spending vs. just checking your bank accounts.

Q: Are there any web sites that I can go to get deals?

A: For the best deal web sites I like www.shopkick.com. this gives you redeemable points for stores you spend in. Also have you heard of hukkster.com? It works like Pintrest- you have your list of items you want to purchase, and you "Hukk" it and it will tell you when the price starts to fall. I also like retailmenot.com which has coupons and ecoupons you can personalize and aggregate. The best bet (and what I do) is that I sign up for alerts from my favorite retailers. They send it right to my phone, or my email. This cuts the clutter from every other offer you are getting and streamlines your holiday shopping. 

Want more Hitha? Visit her site and follow her on Twitter @hithaprabhakar

Q: What are your best tips for saving money during the holidays? Not just gift buying. But food, parties, etc.? 

A:  I hear you on a 360 degree money saving strategy for the holidays. Again- it takes some planning. IF you are throwing multiple parties and know 20+ people are coming over- you don't have to go to Whole Foods and buy the most expensive organic food items, etc. Set the budget and DO NOT GO OVER. Also- I'm not sure what market you are in, but if you have a food delivery service like freshdirect.com that could cut down on gas costs because they offer free delivery. Don't be afraid to bargain hunt. If gifts require you to buy housewares for example, go to Home Goods, or better yet- Costco! No one is going to know their gift came from there. For decorations, buying at dollar stores is KEY. I did that last year. Our apt looked amazing decorated in $1 light strands. Hope that helped.

Q: My family does not celebrate the Christmas holidays. We don't want to be rude. But we can't reciprocate on gift-giving. Any advice on how to gently tell our co-workers, friends, neighbors? 

Hitha: Truth be told, I don't really give gifts during the holidays. And while it's all about individual choice, this is how I am dealing with it: I send out cards saying I'm or in this case you or your family is donating in the name of (insert persons name here) to (insert charity here). You can write that donation off on taxes at the end of the year. Does that make sense? Or you can just send cards too. That always works.

Q: My husband says he won't spend any money this year because he is afraid of the fiscal cliff. He says we will have to pay $2,000 more in taxes next year so we have to save. How do I talk him down?

A: I am shocked and humbled re: how many of you have seen me on TV. Thanks x 1000 for watching! YES the Fiscal Cliff is a major concern for the consumer out there- and it's hard not knowing either way what the government is going to do. This chat is mostly about saving money and sticking to budget and while our tendency as an American consumer is to spend, spend, spend- I get your husband's concern. If your husband won't budge on the holiday budget, I say get creative. You can make some AMAZING gifts that are small and meaningful and DIY (go to www.psimadethis.com amazing site) and come January, if you or your family still wants that flat screen, sweater or pair of Uggs, the merch is going to be so mega discounted you'll save a ton of money. I hate that it's come to this- but it's the reality of the situation and being cautious is always better.

Q: Best place to shop for inexpensive women's clothes?

A: Are you looking for designer clothes or basic t-shirts? Gap is having massive sales on basics- I love, love, love their yoga pants and work out/ weekend wear. Also, don't be afraid to go to TJ Maxx- the store has changed it's layout over the years and it's easier to navigate. Do you hit outlet stores? That's another GREAT place to get high end clothing at a massive discount. And also- places like Kohls and Target are doing incredible designer collaborations. Kohls just did one with Narcisco Rodriguez and honest hour here: I wear some of the stuff on air at MSNBC!

Q: What is your theory on re-gifting?

A: As long as the gift is BRAND NEW (in the package, does not look banged up) and you are giving it to someone who is NOT a part of the same friends and family circle- it is ok . I know, I know- manners wise, it's really terrible. But from a "waste not, want not" perspective it makes sense. Just MAKE SURE it looks new!

Q: Is online shopping cheaper than going to the mall?

A: If you really break it down- online shopping can definitely be cheaper than going to the mall. First of all, you have free shipping, so you aren't paying for gasoline to get your self there. Also, stores are trying to beef up their online traffic so they tend to give out promotions for merchandise online more readily. For the same flat screen TV for example, you could use a coupon for 20%, a rebate AND not pay for shipping. See how in three steps that became cheaper? Crazy, right?

Want more Hitha? Visit her site and follow her on Twitter @hithaprabhakar 

Does your employer allow you flexible schedules? How do flex schedules work? What kind of accountability is expected?

These questions and more will be answered during our Live Chat on Thursday at noon ET.

Ken Matos, the senior director of employment research for @FWInews will be our chat expert for an hour and will answer your questions.

For more information, follow this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/#slice1

Alexandra Levit

College graduates who got used to wearing flip-flops and pajama pants to school are going to have to spruce up their look a bit if they’re going to head out on the job-search trail.

Not only are flops out during a job interview, but don’t even think about donning scoffed up dress shoes, urged Alexandra Levit, a Gen Y career expert and author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College" and "How'd You Score That Gig?"

Levit was on hand to answer questions from readers Wednesday during a live chat on job-hunting for recent grads.

One reader named Shawn asked her:

How should you dress for an interview?

Her reply:

You should wear a well-tailored suit in black or navy blue, non-scuffed up dress shoes, and a clean, not-too-busy tie. Make sure you are clean-shaven and carry a nice, leather portfolio or briefcase. Even if the employees aren't this dressed up, I guarantee that no one will fault you in an interview situation.

She also offered advice for the female grads out there:

For all of the women out there, same advice regarding the suit, although you can choose a pantsuit or a skirt suit. If you go with the skirt suit, I still think you should wear pantyhose (though some experts might disagree). Heels are nice, but don't go too high, as you don't want to trip or look wobbly. Go easy on the makeup and perfume, and wear tasteful jewelry in silver or gold.

And on the perpetual question of whether to pantyhose or not; or what color to wear when you opt to put on nylons, she said, “I think either black or nude are fine.”

On the pantyhose debate, she sided with hose-wearing advocates “because you don't know how conservative the company is. It's best to err on the side of caution. You want to look professional and put-together without drawing too much attention to the way you are dressed. The more seamlessly you fit it, the better.”

Other topics Levit tackled included everything from how much you should expect to make at your first gig and whether taking time off from the career job search to take a summer job, maybe at the beach, is a good idea.

Here’s the entire Q&A with Levit:

Join us next week for another live web chat on Today.

Today Money financial expert David Bach joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of his answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and video of David’s TV appearance this morning.)

Janine asked:

“Just came into enough money to pay off all debt. Should I pay off and quit job I hate and start home based business? Or save? I am 56 and husband would continue working.”

David replied:

“Janine, how nice to come into some money. Send some my way...just kidding! I am all for paying down the debt. Paying down the debt will give you the ultimate freedom. Don't quit your day job however, start your home based business from home in the morning and at night and get it going before you quit your day job (even if you hate it). You are very young, and having that cash flow from your job is huge it will help you fund your next business.”

Here’s the full chat archive and David’s TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here.

To sign up for an e-mail reminder for our next chat, click here.

TODAY Money expert Sharon Epperson joined us for a live Web chat Wednesday to answer your questions.

Here’s one of her answers to questions from the live chat. (See below for the full Q&A and Sharon's TV appearance this morning.)

One guest asked:

“How do you decide how much you can afford to invest in a college education?”

Sharon replied:

“Investing in your education is one of the best investments that you can make but you don't want to go into a boatload of debt to do it. Best rule of thumb: your total loan debt should be LESS THAN your starting salary when you complete your degree. Check out calculators at finaid.org to help you crunch the numbers.”

Here’s the full chat archive and Sharon's TV appearance:

If you have a question for our TODAY Money experts, submit it here. 

To sign up for an e-mail reminder for our next chat, click here.