Preventing Identity Theft
Identity Theft is a serious criminal offense and you could be the next victim
.
An identity thief uses someone else personal information to commit fraudulent activities. Your name, bank account numbers, health insurance and Social Security number are just some of the information at risk of being stolen.
Many victims have faced the grave repercussions of the crime. Some have caused them their jobs, been declined of loans and their credit and reputation severely damaged.
According to a recent identity theft study conducted by the Javelin Strategy & Research Center:
1. There were almost 10 million ID theft victims in 2008 (a whopping 22% increase from 2007)
2. 71% of fraud happens within a week of stealing a victims personal data.
3. ID thieves still make use of low-tech methods for stealing personal information. Stolen wallets and physical documents accounted for 43% of all identity theft, while online methods accounted for only 11%.
Here are some preventive measures you can follow to protect your identity and secure your credit and reputation:
1. Your personal information is only yours to keep. If you need to share it, make sure you only do with a company or person you trust 101%. Always read and understand the fine print in every document you sign.
2. Avoid giving personal information out over the phone. You should protect your Social Security number and mother maiden name. Do not write down these details unless necessary.
3. Do not carry all your ID and bank cards in your wallet. Make sure to sign all new credit cards immediately upon receipt. Write Check ID after your signature as a note to shopkeepers and sales personnel to ask for identification before proceeding with the credit card transaction.
4. All your new and cancelled checks should be kept in a safe and secured place. Immediate report lost or stolen checks to the issuing bank.
5. Never leave receipts at ATM machines, bank counters, trash bins, or unattended gasoline stations. Save them and match them against your monthly bills, and then shred before throwing them away.
6. Purchase only from secure Internet shopping sites. Look for the closed lock icon to appear at the bottom of your browser to check the sites security status. Also, check the sites privacy policies to make sure they are not distributing or selling your name and information without your permission.
7. Shred any documents that have any personal information or credit account numbers on them before discarding, including tax returns and unwanted credit card offers.
8. Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately. If you applied for a new credit card and it has not arrived at your expected time, call the bank or credit card company to ensure that it did not end up with the wrong hands.
10. Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has changed your billing address to cover his/her tracks.
11. Notify your credit card companies, banks and lenders in advance of any change of address or telephone number. Make sure to contact the sender if your statements are not received in the mail in a timely manner.
12. Monitor and keep track of your credit. Check your credit report regularly from the three credit-reporting agencies for any unfamiliar changes, such as new accounts, inquiries, or public records.
13. Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement annually to check for fraud by calling 1.800.772.1213.
These identity thieves may just be around the corner so remember to keep your mailbox lock and secured at all times as well. You have nothing to lose with being proactive when it comes to protecting your identity.
For more great credit tips and news tune in to The Graceful Credit Show live every Sunday at 3:00pm EST on WCHB News Talk AM 1200.
GCS Credit Advisors are experts in Personal Credit Restoration, Personal Credit Counseling, Business Credit Building, Business Credit Solutions, Credit Score Restoration and Credit & Debt Counseling. GCS is committed to helping people obtain the credit needed to reach their financial goals through trusted methods that guarantee results.
In order for us to get a jump start in helping you reach your goals and better help service you visit GracefulCredit.com, click on Quick Quote, and schedule your free consultation today.
by: Earl Carruthers
The Best Way To Prevent Identity Theft: What Is It? Identity Theft - When It Occurs To You Six Easy Ways To Prevent Identity Theft Why You Need To Shred Important Documents To Stop Identity Theft Protect Against Identity Theft With Cross Cut Paper Shredders Easy Identity Theft What Are The Insidious Offense Can Identity Theft Do? How You Can Win Against Identity Theft Avoid From Identity Theft Aware For Identity Theft Fraud Four Ways To Protect Your Confidential Information From Identity Theft And Corporate Espionage Understand The Identity Theft Prevention Tactics For A Safer Identity A Glorious Week of Identity Theft