Identity Protection 101
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves.
By Dr. John Herrington
Credit Pacific Service Union At a time when your good name and credit is used to judge
you as never before, from whether you'll get that next job
or house, or the rates you'll pay for insurance policies
and loans, your name and credit have never been more at
risk.
By Credit Health We've all heard of identity theft, but what does this term really mean Going far beyond credit card fraud, identity theft is a rapidly growing crime that most people will face at some point in their lives. Credit Health explains the different kinds of identity theft crimes common today and pinpoints new identity theft trends that are emerging.
Credit First Service Union According to statistics from the FTC identity theft survey
report, identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in
America today. 1 in 8 people reported that they were victims of
some form of identity theft in the last five years. Almost 10
million of those were in the last year alone.
Credit reporting and identity theft protection go hand in hand. Understanding these important, and at times most confusing, topics is essential to effective credit fraud and identity theft protection. The Privacy Matters Resources Center lets you quickly and easily find the credit and ID theft information you need. Just click on any of the following links to see an extensive library of resources on identity theft protection and credit reporting topics.
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Card Credit Mobile Service Has it happened to you, or someone you know . . . yet?
Let's face it. Criminals have the advantage when it comes
to identity theft. It's easy to steal your personal information.
But it seems that it's just as easy for them to get away with using
it. And statistics show they can get away with it over and over
again.
Much like a credit report, an identity theft report contains your personal and financial history. Companies like Privacy Matters offer an identity theft report as part of their core benefits, designed to protect your personal information and your peace of mind. Staying proactive is a key to preventing identity theft, and an identity theft report, along with identity theft and credit monitoring, offers you several different weapons to stay in the fight.
Card Credit Discover Service Don't think you're at risk? That you're protected? Think
again.
- Consider learning more about credit monitoring. Credit monitoring can be as valuable to you as any identity theft prevention tool because it alerts you to any changes in your credit report. known than its credit counterpart, Privacy Matters also offers identity theft monitoring and an identity theft report.
Credit Public Service Union
> Do you hand your credit card to servers at restaurants?
Unused credit cards are putting millions of Brits at greater risk of falling victim to identity theft, according to a specialist credit history firm.
Card Credit Processing Service > Do you sign your credit cards?
Center Credit Service Union > Do you supply personal information over the
internet?
Card Credit Service Wireless > Do you keep your Social Security number in your
wallet
or purse?
Credit Security Service Union > Do you leave mail at your
home or
business for the
postal carrier to collect?
Credit Report Service > Do you shred unwanted mail with personal
information?
Blogspot Com Christian > What kinds of personal information can be found in
your
trash?
Christian Counseling Credit
The truth is, the average consumer is the most common
victim. All you need is a social security number and
minimally acceptable credit worthiness to be victimized.
Credit Federal Service Union Early detection is important, but watching our finances
may not be enough to prevent identity theft. The bigger problem is
when someone uses your personal information to establish new credit
in your name.
Credit Monitoring Service According to the FTC, in the 12 months ending in 2003,
3.23 million consumers discovered that new accounts had
been opened. And other frauds like renting an apartment
or home, obtaining medical care, or gaining employment had
been committed in their name.
Credit Division Service Would you know what to do if it happened to
you?
Card Credit Online Service > Call your bank and/or credit card
company
Consumer Counseling Credit Inc > Contact the three major credit
repositories
Card Credit Fleet Service > Go through the helpful but extensive steps
recommended
by the Federal Trade Commission in its 30-page consumer
support publication
Card Consolidation Credit > Fill out and submit the affidavit form supplied by
the
FTC to dispute new, unauthorized accounts
Credit Free Online Report > Spend countless hours and an average of $1,800 in
out-of-pocket expenses (Federal Trade Commission) in
your efforts to resolve the many problems caused by
identity thieves.
Credit Federal First Service "People whose identities have been stolen can spend months
or years-and thousands of dollars-cleaning up the mess the thieves
have made of their good name and credit record."
(Federal Trade Commission: When Bad Things Happen to Your
Good Name, September 2002
Consumer Credit Service A professional thief can assume your identity in just a
few hours, but it can take years for you to restore your
credit standing. If you are thinking, "It'll never happen
to me." Think again.
Center Credit Family Service While most people are familiar with identity theft, most
businessmen and women never think about it happening to them, at
least on a professional level. Consider this: if a criminal can
learn your business checking account number or the number of your
company credit card, they can steal far more from your business
than if they had simply knocked down the door and carted off your
desk.
Credit Reporting Service What are some steps you can take to further reduce your
risk of becoming a victim of identity theft?
Cca Credit Division Service > Never give out your first name, last name, business
name,
email address, account passwords, credit card numbers,
bank account information, PIN number, social security
number, or driver's license number unless you can be
sure it is secure.
Credit Free Report Service > Change your online account passwords every 30 days.
(Believe it or not, a hacker who steals your personal
information can guess your online account passwords in
about two minutes. If your Charles Schwab online account
password is your birthday or the name of your first born
or family pet, count on a hacker cracking that code
faster than you can say 'Bill Gates.')
Card Credit Customer Discover > Never provide personal information in response to an
email or telephone call. Just because someone calls and
says they are from Dunn & Bradstreet and need to confirm
your business information does not mean they are really
from Dunn & Bradstreet.
Credit Repair Report Service > Never give your business or personal credit card
number
over the phone to place an order with someone who has
called you unsolicited. If you are interested in what
they are selling get their number, check out their
company, then call them back to place the order.
Credit Legal Repair Service You must be an informed consumer. This article has
provided only a glimpse into the
world, or industry, of
identity theft. We are busy people, who don't think
about the possibility of identity theft, until we are
faced with it. You must think about it. Don't wait until
it happens to you.
Cic Credit Monitoring Service For more complete information about identity theft
protection and identity restoration, go to
http://www.LivingSmartNews.com
Ccs Credit Division Service ========================
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Credit Service Union Worker Dr. John Herrington is editor of "Living Smart News."
mailto:livingsmartnews@usa.com
More information about Identity Theft
can be found at http://www.LivingSmartNews.com.
1st Credit Service Union Dr. John Herrington is editor of "Living Smart News."
mailto:livingsmartnews@usa.com
More information about Identity Theft
can be found at http://www.LivingSmartNews.com.
Card Chase Credit Customer
Contact him at http://www.LivingSmartNews.com
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