Sep
5
Ray Anthony asked:
When it comes to identity theft there are a lot of identity theft protection companies who are out there and are able to help you to remain secure and safe. Millions of people all around the globe have suffered from some sort of identity theft in one form or another and it is important that there are companies out there who are able to prevent the spread too far. When you have your identity stolen, a criminal will have free reign to do what they want in your name and this can have serious continued effects in your life. It can take a long time in many cases to clear your name and there is so much hassle to go through in order to get back to the way things were.
So what are the effects that having your identity stolen can have?
Well, first of all, your personal life could suffer enormously. For example, if you have your identity stolen you could end up being charged for a criminal act that had nothing to do with you and that you had no part in. You will have to take time and effort trying to clear your name and it is often very hard to get things wiped off your records unless you can provide definitive proof.
You may also see that your credit can be seriously affected by having your identity stolen. One of the main reasons why people steal identities is so that they are able to file for credit cards in someone else’s name. If you have a good credit rating your could see it plummet quickly as a criminal uses up the balance of a credit card in your name with no thoughts of making any sort of payments. Later on, this can have a serious impact when you are trying to get credit for other loans and mortgages.
If this sort of thing were to happen you may also be liable to make all of the debt payments if you do not report the debt within 60 days. There is no customer protection after this time and so you could find yourself in a situation where you have to make big payments for something that had nothing to do with you.
You may also have your medical records altered by identity thieves and this could potentially have serious knock on effects.
At the end of the day, it is vital that you report any sort of theft of your identity as soon as possible, so that corrective action can begin immediately. This is exactly the role that good Identity theft protection companies play. They will facilitate the monitoring and restoration of your good name.
Harvey
When it comes to identity theft there are a lot of identity theft protection companies who are out there and are able to help you to remain secure and safe. Millions of people all around the globe have suffered from some sort of identity theft in one form or another and it is important that there are companies out there who are able to prevent the spread too far. When you have your identity stolen, a criminal will have free reign to do what they want in your name and this can have serious continued effects in your life. It can take a long time in many cases to clear your name and there is so much hassle to go through in order to get back to the way things were.
So what are the effects that having your identity stolen can have?
Well, first of all, your personal life could suffer enormously. For example, if you have your identity stolen you could end up being charged for a criminal act that had nothing to do with you and that you had no part in. You will have to take time and effort trying to clear your name and it is often very hard to get things wiped off your records unless you can provide definitive proof.
You may also see that your credit can be seriously affected by having your identity stolen. One of the main reasons why people steal identities is so that they are able to file for credit cards in someone else’s name. If you have a good credit rating your could see it plummet quickly as a criminal uses up the balance of a credit card in your name with no thoughts of making any sort of payments. Later on, this can have a serious impact when you are trying to get credit for other loans and mortgages.
If this sort of thing were to happen you may also be liable to make all of the debt payments if you do not report the debt within 60 days. There is no customer protection after this time and so you could find yourself in a situation where you have to make big payments for something that had nothing to do with you.
You may also have your medical records altered by identity thieves and this could potentially have serious knock on effects.
At the end of the day, it is vital that you report any sort of theft of your identity as soon as possible, so that corrective action can begin immediately. This is exactly the role that good Identity theft protection companies play. They will facilitate the monitoring and restoration of your good name.
Harvey
Jun
17
Should You Really Worry About Getting Identity Theft Protection Service?
Filed Under Finance | Leave a Comment
Bernard Pragides asked:
You must be hearing that every year number of identity theft victims has been rising exponentially. There are already millions of identity theft victims so far. With “Nobody is spared” situation, you are as much likely as anybody else. As you can not ignore the possibility of your identity theft, you are left with two ways either to protect your identity yourself or hire professional service in this regards.
What Statistics says?
It is claimed that the identity theft is the fastest growing crime. It is worldwide but more prevalent in developed countries. Considering details of USA for year 2006 only, there were close to 10 million people were victimized fro their identity theft. You can compare it with figures of year 2004 to find that the number of victims has grown almost 10 times. The striking fact of the identity theft report shows in most of the cases the thief comes out to be a relative or a friend of victim. On an average identity victim loses around $500. If you are lucky, you may not pay anything as most companies no longer hold customer you accountable for any charges made through identity theft. At the same time you should not feel sheltered from statistic only as you can be the ‘unfortunate’ to lose much more in some worst situations. Statistics also warn that with the continuous changes in the cases of identity theft, you can not fully assured by the companies providing identity theft protection service.
What is offered under ‘Identity theft protection service’?
1. Tracking of credit report, police report, medical records
2. Alert in case any suspicious activity shows up
3. Assistance in the process of clearing credit through financial formalities
While you are seeking assistance from the company, the company may require some sensitive information from you.
Different plans offered for Identity Theft Protection
The basic of all plans is “Tracking of credit report & alert in case suspicious transactions”
Some companies offer basic service while some offer in-depth service.
o Under the basic plan you will receive alert whenever there is a new account is opened or a new inquiry appears on your report. You can get this basic plan free from many lenders.
o More detailed plan for identity theft protection – you are charge a fee: This plan includes monthly reports (against yearly report in basic plan) and counseling services. Some companies also cover of out-of-pocket fees in case you fall victim to identity theft.
o There are also comprehensive plan available which covers each & every cost consumer incur through identity theft. Obviously these plans charge much higher fees.
With all this information, you will be in a better position to decide if you should pay for identity theft protection or just being careful is sufficient.
Thomas
You must be hearing that every year number of identity theft victims has been rising exponentially. There are already millions of identity theft victims so far. With “Nobody is spared” situation, you are as much likely as anybody else. As you can not ignore the possibility of your identity theft, you are left with two ways either to protect your identity yourself or hire professional service in this regards.
What Statistics says?
It is claimed that the identity theft is the fastest growing crime. It is worldwide but more prevalent in developed countries. Considering details of USA for year 2006 only, there were close to 10 million people were victimized fro their identity theft. You can compare it with figures of year 2004 to find that the number of victims has grown almost 10 times. The striking fact of the identity theft report shows in most of the cases the thief comes out to be a relative or a friend of victim. On an average identity victim loses around $500. If you are lucky, you may not pay anything as most companies no longer hold customer you accountable for any charges made through identity theft. At the same time you should not feel sheltered from statistic only as you can be the ‘unfortunate’ to lose much more in some worst situations. Statistics also warn that with the continuous changes in the cases of identity theft, you can not fully assured by the companies providing identity theft protection service.
What is offered under ‘Identity theft protection service’?
1. Tracking of credit report, police report, medical records
2. Alert in case any suspicious activity shows up
3. Assistance in the process of clearing credit through financial formalities
While you are seeking assistance from the company, the company may require some sensitive information from you.
Different plans offered for Identity Theft Protection
The basic of all plans is “Tracking of credit report & alert in case suspicious transactions”
Some companies offer basic service while some offer in-depth service.
o Under the basic plan you will receive alert whenever there is a new account is opened or a new inquiry appears on your report. You can get this basic plan free from many lenders.
o More detailed plan for identity theft protection – you are charge a fee: This plan includes monthly reports (against yearly report in basic plan) and counseling services. Some companies also cover of out-of-pocket fees in case you fall victim to identity theft.
o There are also comprehensive plan available which covers each & every cost consumer incur through identity theft. Obviously these plans charge much higher fees.
With all this information, you will be in a better position to decide if you should pay for identity theft protection or just being careful is sufficient.
Thomas
Apr
9
Identity Theft – With 9,000,000 Victims Each Year, Are You Next?
Filed Under Finance | Leave a Comment
Jaime S. Hershman asked:
Credit Identity Theft has topped the list of consumer fraud complaints submitted to the FTC for several years in a row. 9 million Americans report having their identities stolen each year. Are you the next victim?
The crime of credit identity theft takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone or utility account in your name. Most consumers do not discover the theft until they review a credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges they didn’t make-or even worse, receive a call from a collection agency.
While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, unlucky others are forced to spend months repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some victims may lose out on job opportunities, or are denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.
Much of the identity thief’s criminal activity occurs online or over the phone in a very short time period. Therefore, police and other law enforcement agencies are not always successful in finding and stopping identity thieves. Consumers that don’t learn how to protect themselves are tempting fate and could learn an expensive lesson.
Identity theft can happen in a number of ways. Skilled identity thieves use an arsenal of methods to get ahold of your information. They may use unsolicited mail, such as pre-approved credit card applications to open fraudulent accounts.
If your wallet or identity cards are stolen, criminals may use your name, address, and ID to open new accounts in your name. You may also get email or telephone calls offering you special offers or products. Once you provide your credit card information, your card may be charged without your consent.
While shopping at stores, unscrupulous employees may use scanning devices or hidden cameras to your get card, bank, and PIN number information from you without your knowledge.
Tips for protecting your personal information from identity thieves:
1) Buy a paper shredder (many cost less that $25.00). Always shred bank statements, utility bills, pre-approved credit card applications, and other sensitive documents before throwing in the trash. Identity thieves regularly “dumpster dive” in search of these documents.
2) Be wary of “phishing” scams. Some criminals pretend to be financial institutions and will send out fake e-mail messages in an attempt to get you to reveal your account information.
3) Never provide personal information like a social security number over the phone. Don’t give out any of your financial or personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the phone call and you are dealing with a trusted institution or business. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls where you are asked to provide personal information.
4) Do not use easy to guess passwords or PIN numbers. Never use your birthday, spouse’s birthday or phone number for a password. Don’t use the exact same password for every account.
If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps immediately to protect your credit history. You should also keep a record of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.
1) File a police report. This document is essential to supporting your fraud claim and disputing any unauthorized charges.
2) Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three credit reporting bureaus below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert as the company you call is required to notify other two. Follow up in writing, and include copies of supporting documents.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
3) Close any accounts that you believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Don’t rely on a phone call. Always notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what was received and when. Each company has its own procedures for disputing fraudulent charges. Ask to be sent the appropriate documents when you report the fraud and close the account.
When you open new accounts, use new PIN numbers and passwords. Again, avoid using passwords that are easy to guess.
4) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint on the FTC website (http://www.ftc.gov) or call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT.
By filing your complaint with the FTC, you may provide important information that can help law enforcement officials track down identity thieves and stop them. Additionally, a copy of your FTC complaint in addition to your police report are strong documentation that support your fraud claims with creditors.
Credit identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. No one is 100% safe from becoming a victim. However, by safeguarding your personal information and taking quick action in response to any problem you can protect your credit history and peace of mind.
Jessie
Credit Identity Theft has topped the list of consumer fraud complaints submitted to the FTC for several years in a row. 9 million Americans report having their identities stolen each year. Are you the next victim?
The crime of credit identity theft takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone or utility account in your name. Most consumers do not discover the theft until they review a credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges they didn’t make-or even worse, receive a call from a collection agency.
While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, unlucky others are forced to spend months repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some victims may lose out on job opportunities, or are denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.
Much of the identity thief’s criminal activity occurs online or over the phone in a very short time period. Therefore, police and other law enforcement agencies are not always successful in finding and stopping identity thieves. Consumers that don’t learn how to protect themselves are tempting fate and could learn an expensive lesson.
Identity theft can happen in a number of ways. Skilled identity thieves use an arsenal of methods to get ahold of your information. They may use unsolicited mail, such as pre-approved credit card applications to open fraudulent accounts.
If your wallet or identity cards are stolen, criminals may use your name, address, and ID to open new accounts in your name. You may also get email or telephone calls offering you special offers or products. Once you provide your credit card information, your card may be charged without your consent.
While shopping at stores, unscrupulous employees may use scanning devices or hidden cameras to your get card, bank, and PIN number information from you without your knowledge.
Tips for protecting your personal information from identity thieves:
1) Buy a paper shredder (many cost less that $25.00). Always shred bank statements, utility bills, pre-approved credit card applications, and other sensitive documents before throwing in the trash. Identity thieves regularly “dumpster dive” in search of these documents.
2) Be wary of “phishing” scams. Some criminals pretend to be financial institutions and will send out fake e-mail messages in an attempt to get you to reveal your account information.
3) Never provide personal information like a social security number over the phone. Don’t give out any of your financial or personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the phone call and you are dealing with a trusted institution or business. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls where you are asked to provide personal information.
4) Do not use easy to guess passwords or PIN numbers. Never use your birthday, spouse’s birthday or phone number for a password. Don’t use the exact same password for every account.
If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps immediately to protect your credit history. You should also keep a record of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.
1) File a police report. This document is essential to supporting your fraud claim and disputing any unauthorized charges.
2) Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three credit reporting bureaus below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert as the company you call is required to notify other two. Follow up in writing, and include copies of supporting documents.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
3) Close any accounts that you believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Don’t rely on a phone call. Always notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what was received and when. Each company has its own procedures for disputing fraudulent charges. Ask to be sent the appropriate documents when you report the fraud and close the account.
When you open new accounts, use new PIN numbers and passwords. Again, avoid using passwords that are easy to guess.
4) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint on the FTC website (http://www.ftc.gov) or call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT.
By filing your complaint with the FTC, you may provide important information that can help law enforcement officials track down identity thieves and stop them. Additionally, a copy of your FTC complaint in addition to your police report are strong documentation that support your fraud claims with creditors.
Credit identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. No one is 100% safe from becoming a victim. However, by safeguarding your personal information and taking quick action in response to any problem you can protect your credit history and peace of mind.
Jessie
Feb
11
Identity Theft in your Mail Box? Free Tips on How to Stop Junk Mail and Credit Card Offers for Good
Filed Under Finance | Leave a Comment
Ron P. Butterfield asked:
There are literally thousands of methods idetnity theives enlist to stealing vital personal information from consumers and small business owners. “Phishing” scams sent via email, shoulder surfing at ATM machines, fraudulant telemarketing calls, public records acess through local government agancies, identity theft at the workplace: the list goes on and on. Suprisingly, it doesn’t always take someone who is technologically proficient to get their hands on your social security number, credit card information or home address. The chain of theivery commonly starts with a method that existed long before the internet, email, telemarketing or ATM’s: the dreaded “Junk Mail List”.
Dumpster diving identity theives and computer hackers represent only a small fraction of the faceless armies constantly working to ruin your financial identity. Contrary to popular belief, junk mail, specifically credit card offers, are typically the culprit. In fact, every credit card offer you recieve is an invitation to have your identity stolen, and your credit ruined. These “mail box maruaders” are probably the most brazen identity theives, right up there with common burglar. Stealing mail directly from your mailbox is by far the riskiest method, which leaves the potential of being identitfied from eyewitnesses. Never the less, it does in fact occur and is a federal offence.
Once your financial information has been obtained, the two of the most common methods for setting up shop with your good name are “application fraud” and “account takeover”.
“Application fraud”, or “real name fraud” usually leaves identity victims unaware of fraudulent abuse of their personal information for long periods of time. This is due to the fact that the credit card statements are mailed directly to a forwarding address set up by the imposter. Another factor that leaves victims unaware is the time lag between the fraudulent transactions themselves and when they are reported to credit bureaus, such as Transunion, Experian and Equifax. This leaves a “time gap” for ID thieves to do as much damage as possible before it is detected, even if your regularly check your credit reports. All these criminals may need to commit application fraud is a utility bill or bank statement, authentic or counterfeit, to piece together a complete application. This is a methodical and effective form of identity theft.
Conversely, “account takeover” can happen almost intantaniously. This occurs when containing key personal information allows ID theives to actually takeover the running of your existing account. They will actually pretend to be you, making transactions and purchases as they see fit. To compound this problem further, these criminals may instruct your bank or credit card company to change you home address in the account and have cards and checks sent to another address. Once again this buys valuable time for these imposters to be detected and stopped.
So far as online purchases go, many online merchants have added an extra precaution to stave off fraudulent account activity with the CCV number. This is a three digit number on the back you credit card next to the signature box. Providing this number makes the assumption that your credit card is physically in front of you. Once again, if new cards have been ordered in your name unbeknownst to you, this safe-guard is rendered ineffective. You may only find out it has occurred when purchasing groceries or fuel for your car and having you credit or debit card declined. A rude awakening indeed.
Needless to say, the most effective way to avoid this finacial nightmare is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Though ID theft is growing problem for consumers and small businesse alike, it is not an inevitable part of modern life. Hence the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a a pound of cure”. And that ounce of prevention begins right at home, in your mailbox.
Over 4 million tons of paper “junk mail” are mailed in the U.S. every year, and 50% of it is never even opened. These are staggering stastistics and only grows as time goes by. Here are several tips and tricks to drastically reducing or eliminatiing bulk mail and credit card offers, thus aiding in the prevention of identity theft.
Credit Card Offers- The major credit agencies all sell credit information to the highest bidder. Direct mail and credit companies generate mailing lists based on certain demographic information including you zip code, annual income and general credit history. Stopping these types of offers are usefull in preventing identity theft for two reasons: First, it narrows down and seperates the “legitimate” offers from potentially fraudulent offers.
Second, it simply cuts down on the amount of mail you recieve, thus reducing the potential for information to be physically stolen from your mailbox.
Simply contact the three of the major cedit bureaus, Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Innovis with your current address former address within two years, and social security number. Request to be “opted out” of these mailing lists. These requests will be granted immediately as required by law.
First Class Mail- This is a sneaky tactic used sometimes to make a credit card offer seem exclusive or more appealing. After you recieve one of the first class offers, simply cross out the address and bar code, circle the first class postage and write exactly this: refused: return to sender. Mail it in any mail box and it will be returned directly to the sender.
Bulk Mail in General- Your local post office will always dispose of bulk mail it cannot be delived, so “returning to sender” does absolutely no good. The USPS actively provides for bulk mailers to accumulate their mailing lists. As hard as it is to belive, they actually encourage it. Simply write “address correction requested” circle it, and drop it in any the mail box.
If Bulk Mailing persists, simply send a letter or postcard to the Mail Preference Service,
There address is: Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643
Be sure to include your full name, current address, zip code and request to “activate the preference service”. This will stop mail from all of it’s member ogrganizations for up to five years.
A Secure Mail Box- Obvouisly, this is probably the simplest method protect mail from being stolen out of your mail box. Don’t be afraid to buy a lock for your mail box. Get to know your neighborhood delivery schedule and your mail carrier.
Your home is the front line in the ongoing battle against identity theft, pure and simple.
Ruby
There are literally thousands of methods idetnity theives enlist to stealing vital personal information from consumers and small business owners. “Phishing” scams sent via email, shoulder surfing at ATM machines, fraudulant telemarketing calls, public records acess through local government agancies, identity theft at the workplace: the list goes on and on. Suprisingly, it doesn’t always take someone who is technologically proficient to get their hands on your social security number, credit card information or home address. The chain of theivery commonly starts with a method that existed long before the internet, email, telemarketing or ATM’s: the dreaded “Junk Mail List”.
Dumpster diving identity theives and computer hackers represent only a small fraction of the faceless armies constantly working to ruin your financial identity. Contrary to popular belief, junk mail, specifically credit card offers, are typically the culprit. In fact, every credit card offer you recieve is an invitation to have your identity stolen, and your credit ruined. These “mail box maruaders” are probably the most brazen identity theives, right up there with common burglar. Stealing mail directly from your mailbox is by far the riskiest method, which leaves the potential of being identitfied from eyewitnesses. Never the less, it does in fact occur and is a federal offence.
Once your financial information has been obtained, the two of the most common methods for setting up shop with your good name are “application fraud” and “account takeover”.
“Application fraud”, or “real name fraud” usually leaves identity victims unaware of fraudulent abuse of their personal information for long periods of time. This is due to the fact that the credit card statements are mailed directly to a forwarding address set up by the imposter. Another factor that leaves victims unaware is the time lag between the fraudulent transactions themselves and when they are reported to credit bureaus, such as Transunion, Experian and Equifax. This leaves a “time gap” for ID thieves to do as much damage as possible before it is detected, even if your regularly check your credit reports. All these criminals may need to commit application fraud is a utility bill or bank statement, authentic or counterfeit, to piece together a complete application. This is a methodical and effective form of identity theft.
Conversely, “account takeover” can happen almost intantaniously. This occurs when containing key personal information allows ID theives to actually takeover the running of your existing account. They will actually pretend to be you, making transactions and purchases as they see fit. To compound this problem further, these criminals may instruct your bank or credit card company to change you home address in the account and have cards and checks sent to another address. Once again this buys valuable time for these imposters to be detected and stopped.
So far as online purchases go, many online merchants have added an extra precaution to stave off fraudulent account activity with the CCV number. This is a three digit number on the back you credit card next to the signature box. Providing this number makes the assumption that your credit card is physically in front of you. Once again, if new cards have been ordered in your name unbeknownst to you, this safe-guard is rendered ineffective. You may only find out it has occurred when purchasing groceries or fuel for your car and having you credit or debit card declined. A rude awakening indeed.
Needless to say, the most effective way to avoid this finacial nightmare is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Though ID theft is growing problem for consumers and small businesse alike, it is not an inevitable part of modern life. Hence the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a a pound of cure”. And that ounce of prevention begins right at home, in your mailbox.
Over 4 million tons of paper “junk mail” are mailed in the U.S. every year, and 50% of it is never even opened. These are staggering stastistics and only grows as time goes by. Here are several tips and tricks to drastically reducing or eliminatiing bulk mail and credit card offers, thus aiding in the prevention of identity theft.
Credit Card Offers- The major credit agencies all sell credit information to the highest bidder. Direct mail and credit companies generate mailing lists based on certain demographic information including you zip code, annual income and general credit history. Stopping these types of offers are usefull in preventing identity theft for two reasons: First, it narrows down and seperates the “legitimate” offers from potentially fraudulent offers.
Second, it simply cuts down on the amount of mail you recieve, thus reducing the potential for information to be physically stolen from your mailbox.
Simply contact the three of the major cedit bureaus, Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Innovis with your current address former address within two years, and social security number. Request to be “opted out” of these mailing lists. These requests will be granted immediately as required by law.
First Class Mail- This is a sneaky tactic used sometimes to make a credit card offer seem exclusive or more appealing. After you recieve one of the first class offers, simply cross out the address and bar code, circle the first class postage and write exactly this: refused: return to sender. Mail it in any mail box and it will be returned directly to the sender.
Bulk Mail in General- Your local post office will always dispose of bulk mail it cannot be delived, so “returning to sender” does absolutely no good. The USPS actively provides for bulk mailers to accumulate their mailing lists. As hard as it is to belive, they actually encourage it. Simply write “address correction requested” circle it, and drop it in any the mail box.
If Bulk Mailing persists, simply send a letter or postcard to the Mail Preference Service,
There address is: Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643
Be sure to include your full name, current address, zip code and request to “activate the preference service”. This will stop mail from all of it’s member ogrganizations for up to five years.
A Secure Mail Box- Obvouisly, this is probably the simplest method protect mail from being stolen out of your mail box. Don’t be afraid to buy a lock for your mail box. Get to know your neighborhood delivery schedule and your mail carrier.
Your home is the front line in the ongoing battle against identity theft, pure and simple.
Ruby
Jan
21
John Armstrong asked:
We have all heard about identity theft protection companies such as LifeLock, TrustedID, Identity Guard and Debix but few have pointed out the main shortcoming of these services. You see, they only protect you from financial identity theft and while that is extremely important there are other types such as criminal or medical identity theft. Enter ID Watchdog, a publicly traded company, that can not only instantly identify if you are a victim of identity theft but also guarantees to restore your identity regardless if it was a financial, medical or criminal issue.
ID Watchdog scans 1000’s of databases, including all three credit bureaus, DMV, credit applications and medical, to ensure your personal information has not been exposed or changed fraudulently. Initially they develop a baseline report that you approve and then they monitor your personal information and let you know if there are any changes to your baseline report. You can either approve any changes they inform you of or in the case of a fraudulent change you just let them know and they dig deeper in to the case and will do whatever it takes to restore your identity if they find it has been compromised.
The only catch with their service is if they find upon your enrollment that you are already a victim. In this case you would be charged an additional one time charge of $99.95 and then $79.95 for every incident they have to correct to restore your identity. This is very reasonably priced by the way. If the identity theft situation happens after you are enrolled there are no extra fees as you are completely covered under their guarantee.
Recently, ID Watchdog was featured on Identity theft Labs, the most trusted identity theft review site, and received a ranking of excellent putting them in a class that few identity protection companies have achieved. The best part about ID Watchdog’s service is that they are the only identity theft service that not only protects you from financial identity theft but also from other types of identity theft such as medical and criminal. Id Watchdog also has a full identity theft restoration service. Combine that with their 100% success ratio in restoring their customers identities and you see why you have a winner. Few, if any, other companies have had that level of success. ID Watchdog has definitely established themselves as a player in this industry due to their unique and powerful offer.
Speaking of full restoration it should also be mentioned that with Id Watchdog if you do become a victim of identity theft they will do the work necessary to restore your good name. Most other services only provide you with assistance, ranging from poor to professional depending on the company, and you end up doing most of the work. Now that is no fun at all, can be frustrating to say the least, and can take countless hours on your part going through all the red tape bureaucracy. In today’s busy world not many people have time for that.
If you are looking to protect your identity, and really who isn’t given the number of victims every year – 9.9 million Americans according to the Federal Trade Commission, then I highly suggest you take a look at ID Watchdog to determine if they are the right identity protection company for you.
Gail
We have all heard about identity theft protection companies such as LifeLock, TrustedID, Identity Guard and Debix but few have pointed out the main shortcoming of these services. You see, they only protect you from financial identity theft and while that is extremely important there are other types such as criminal or medical identity theft. Enter ID Watchdog, a publicly traded company, that can not only instantly identify if you are a victim of identity theft but also guarantees to restore your identity regardless if it was a financial, medical or criminal issue.
ID Watchdog scans 1000’s of databases, including all three credit bureaus, DMV, credit applications and medical, to ensure your personal information has not been exposed or changed fraudulently. Initially they develop a baseline report that you approve and then they monitor your personal information and let you know if there are any changes to your baseline report. You can either approve any changes they inform you of or in the case of a fraudulent change you just let them know and they dig deeper in to the case and will do whatever it takes to restore your identity if they find it has been compromised.
The only catch with their service is if they find upon your enrollment that you are already a victim. In this case you would be charged an additional one time charge of $99.95 and then $79.95 for every incident they have to correct to restore your identity. This is very reasonably priced by the way. If the identity theft situation happens after you are enrolled there are no extra fees as you are completely covered under their guarantee.
Recently, ID Watchdog was featured on Identity theft Labs, the most trusted identity theft review site, and received a ranking of excellent putting them in a class that few identity protection companies have achieved. The best part about ID Watchdog’s service is that they are the only identity theft service that not only protects you from financial identity theft but also from other types of identity theft such as medical and criminal. Id Watchdog also has a full identity theft restoration service. Combine that with their 100% success ratio in restoring their customers identities and you see why you have a winner. Few, if any, other companies have had that level of success. ID Watchdog has definitely established themselves as a player in this industry due to their unique and powerful offer.
Speaking of full restoration it should also be mentioned that with Id Watchdog if you do become a victim of identity theft they will do the work necessary to restore your good name. Most other services only provide you with assistance, ranging from poor to professional depending on the company, and you end up doing most of the work. Now that is no fun at all, can be frustrating to say the least, and can take countless hours on your part going through all the red tape bureaucracy. In today’s busy world not many people have time for that.
If you are looking to protect your identity, and really who isn’t given the number of victims every year – 9.9 million Americans according to the Federal Trade Commission, then I highly suggest you take a look at ID Watchdog to determine if they are the right identity protection company for you.
Gail
Dec
27
Suzy Vanstrusen asked:
ght (c) 2009 Suzy Vanstrusen
Tamara
ght (c) 2009 Suzy Vanstrusen
Consumers are constantly reminded to keep on guard against identity theft and fraud. If you suspect identity theft, you can place your report on fraud alert. This way, when someone tries to open an account under your name, creditors who may inquire about your report will see the alert and contact the owner of the report before approving the application.
Nevertheless, a fraud alert can be ignored. Creditors do sometimes ignore the warnings and approve the application. To provide consumers with a more reliable protection against ID theft, credit freeze was introduced.
Understanding Credit Freeze
What is the difference between a credit freeze and fraud alert? Unlike a fraud alert, a credit freeze blocks new creditors from accessing an individual’s credit report. Not even the owner of the report can take a look into it while it’s on freeze. To make the credit report available for inquiry, the owner must first request for the freeze to be lifted.
Without access to the credit report, no creditor will grant approval for a new credit application. Obviously, if an identity thief attempts to open an account using your name or steal your account information, it will not be possible since no one can access your report.
Be On Guard for More Risks
In what other ways can you protect your identity from fraud? Below are practical tips to help you:
- Be alert when using ATMs. Make sure that no one is looking over your shoulder or standing too close behind you. Do not throw away ATM receipts in the trash.
- Shared important documents before discarding them. Identity thieves also rummage through other people’s trash in search for information. Before throwing your away old billing statements, receipts or old credit cards, shred them first to small pieces.
- Do not write important details on just any sheet of paper. Write your passwords and banking information in a logbook and keep it in a safe storage.
- Request a different credit card number for online use. You can ask your issuer for a different credit card number that you can use for online transactions. This way, you do not have to reveal your banking information online.
- Monitor your accounts regularly. Check all billing statements and notices that your bank sends you. Many credit card companies today provide an online account access option so cardholders can look into their accounts at any time.
- Subscribe to the fraud protection service provided by your issuer. One of the most important provisions that you can get from your credit card company is the fraud protection feature. Be sure that you clearly understand your credit card issuer’s policy on this.
- Check your credit report regularly. If you do found errors, send a dispute letter to the credit bureaus. Point out the errors that you want to be corrected. You can also ask help from a human customer service from any of the three credit bureaus, by visiting gethuman.com for a list of contact numbers.
Tamara
Dec
25
Identity Theft Lawyers Guide
Filed Under Finance | Leave a Comment
Keith Londrie asked:
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” Plato.
Identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in America, is a federal crime under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. Bad people or con men usually find ways to get around this law. Identity fraud occurs when a con artist illegitimately uses your identity to make a frightening number of financial and personal transactions in your name, leaving you – the ID theft victim, responsible for what might turn out to be a mind-boggling turmoil in your life. Last year ID fraud crimes topped the list of complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the governmental agency addressing the problem of identity fraud, for the fourth consecutive year.
The FTC estimates that ten million people are victims of ID theft each year. Perhaps the only people minting money are the conmen and identity theft lawyers! Determining the exact scope and financial impact of id theft on people and businesses is difficult. According to a survey conducted by Privacy Right Clearing Group, victims spend from $50 to $2000 on costs related to ID theft, not including identity theft lawyers’ fees. Since ID fraud is a complex crime you may not be able to clear your name as fast as you would like. Bureaucratic financial institutions move slowly, partly to protect you. But if ID theft recovery procedures fail to resolve the problem, you should get in touch with identity theft lawyers. Credit issuers and reporting agencies are sometimes slow in responding to complaints from consumers. The threat of lawsuits can provide some impetus.
If you believe you have been a victim of identity fraud and all steps to restore your name and credit fail, contact top identity theft lawyers in your area immediately, to minimize the damage to your personal and financial accounts, as well as your credit report and reputation. Thanks to the nature of the crime, most identity thieves are never found. So, in order to clear your name, you patiently need to work with the law enforcement agencies and identity theft lawyers, assisting them when you can. Remember, justice moves slowly, and ultimately you will be proven on the side of right, and your life can go return to normal. This is usually a slow process, but it is a necessary evil we all live with.
Janice
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” Plato.
Identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in America, is a federal crime under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. Bad people or con men usually find ways to get around this law. Identity fraud occurs when a con artist illegitimately uses your identity to make a frightening number of financial and personal transactions in your name, leaving you – the ID theft victim, responsible for what might turn out to be a mind-boggling turmoil in your life. Last year ID fraud crimes topped the list of complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the governmental agency addressing the problem of identity fraud, for the fourth consecutive year.
The FTC estimates that ten million people are victims of ID theft each year. Perhaps the only people minting money are the conmen and identity theft lawyers! Determining the exact scope and financial impact of id theft on people and businesses is difficult. According to a survey conducted by Privacy Right Clearing Group, victims spend from $50 to $2000 on costs related to ID theft, not including identity theft lawyers’ fees. Since ID fraud is a complex crime you may not be able to clear your name as fast as you would like. Bureaucratic financial institutions move slowly, partly to protect you. But if ID theft recovery procedures fail to resolve the problem, you should get in touch with identity theft lawyers. Credit issuers and reporting agencies are sometimes slow in responding to complaints from consumers. The threat of lawsuits can provide some impetus.
If you believe you have been a victim of identity fraud and all steps to restore your name and credit fail, contact top identity theft lawyers in your area immediately, to minimize the damage to your personal and financial accounts, as well as your credit report and reputation. Thanks to the nature of the crime, most identity thieves are never found. So, in order to clear your name, you patiently need to work with the law enforcement agencies and identity theft lawyers, assisting them when you can. Remember, justice moves slowly, and ultimately you will be proven on the side of right, and your life can go return to normal. This is usually a slow process, but it is a necessary evil we all live with.
Janice
Nov
13
Tony Francis asked:
What is identity theft? For starters, identity theft is a crime. And currently it is the fastest growing crime. In the United States alone, everyday an average of 27,000 people and their identity are being pilfered. For every second an identity is stolen. For every three seconds an identity of a person is being exposed to identity thieves.
Identity theft is the term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal information or identity through deception or fraud, typically for their economic gain.
Basically, everyone is at risk of identity theft, because all people whose personal information or identity is in the hands of other people can be victims of identity theft. But the good thing is that people can get identity theft protection, to counter the risk of identity theft.
Taking precautions to protect yourself from identity theft is in the best interest of everyone. Unlike your fingerprints, which cannot be obtained and used by somebody else, your personal data, if stolen, can be used against you.
Your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card number and other valuable identifying data, ¬ if fallen or obtained by wrong hands can be used for personal gain at your expense.
And because identity theft is a big problem and being a victim is a bigger problem, everyone should know identity theft protection.
Everyone could get identity theft protection. A person could be protected by a credit monitoring agency. When you have signed with a credit monitoring agency, and you become a victim of identity theft, or in other words your identity was stolen, the credit monitoring agency you have will immediately inform you about the incident and they will guide you through the steps on how to fix it.
Another identity theft protection a person could get is to have a identity theft protection agency. Identity theft protection agencies unlike credit monitoring agencies, does not only monitor your credit but also takes active steps to prevent fraud in the first place. They do this by placing alerts on your credit report, so that financial and insurance companies must contact you before they do anything with your file. They will do this before they will create new financial accounts, issue new credit cards in your name, or apply for mortgages and loan.
And some identity theft protection agencies even constantly remove you from junk mail and pre-approved credit card lists and marketing databases. And if in case a person who signed with an identity theft protection agency becomes a victim of identity theft, instead of him or her spending all that time on the phone, these services have at his or her disposal a team of investigators, accounts, credit specialists and lawyers to help him or her deal with the problem.
And aside from these agencies whose sole purpose is to help you fight and prevent identity theft, there are also identity theft protection tips that everyone could practice to counter identity theft.
And examples of these tips are: to check and monitor your credit reports, to update your anti virus software because most identity stealing happens online with the use of viruses found on downloaded files, and to be vigilant with phishing mails and fraud phone calls.
Identity theft protection might cause you time, effort, and money, but it is better compared to the financial hardships brought by being a victim of identity theft.
Troy
What is identity theft? For starters, identity theft is a crime. And currently it is the fastest growing crime. In the United States alone, everyday an average of 27,000 people and their identity are being pilfered. For every second an identity is stolen. For every three seconds an identity of a person is being exposed to identity thieves.
Identity theft is the term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal information or identity through deception or fraud, typically for their economic gain.
Basically, everyone is at risk of identity theft, because all people whose personal information or identity is in the hands of other people can be victims of identity theft. But the good thing is that people can get identity theft protection, to counter the risk of identity theft.
Taking precautions to protect yourself from identity theft is in the best interest of everyone. Unlike your fingerprints, which cannot be obtained and used by somebody else, your personal data, if stolen, can be used against you.
Your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card number and other valuable identifying data, ¬ if fallen or obtained by wrong hands can be used for personal gain at your expense.
And because identity theft is a big problem and being a victim is a bigger problem, everyone should know identity theft protection.
Everyone could get identity theft protection. A person could be protected by a credit monitoring agency. When you have signed with a credit monitoring agency, and you become a victim of identity theft, or in other words your identity was stolen, the credit monitoring agency you have will immediately inform you about the incident and they will guide you through the steps on how to fix it.
Another identity theft protection a person could get is to have a identity theft protection agency. Identity theft protection agencies unlike credit monitoring agencies, does not only monitor your credit but also takes active steps to prevent fraud in the first place. They do this by placing alerts on your credit report, so that financial and insurance companies must contact you before they do anything with your file. They will do this before they will create new financial accounts, issue new credit cards in your name, or apply for mortgages and loan.
And some identity theft protection agencies even constantly remove you from junk mail and pre-approved credit card lists and marketing databases. And if in case a person who signed with an identity theft protection agency becomes a victim of identity theft, instead of him or her spending all that time on the phone, these services have at his or her disposal a team of investigators, accounts, credit specialists and lawyers to help him or her deal with the problem.
And aside from these agencies whose sole purpose is to help you fight and prevent identity theft, there are also identity theft protection tips that everyone could practice to counter identity theft.
And examples of these tips are: to check and monitor your credit reports, to update your anti virus software because most identity stealing happens online with the use of viruses found on downloaded files, and to be vigilant with phishing mails and fraud phone calls.
Identity theft protection might cause you time, effort, and money, but it is better compared to the financial hardships brought by being a victim of identity theft.
Troy
Sep
13
Tony Francis asked:
Identity theft can happen to you anytime and anywhere. At this age of internet technology, you can already avail services that are available online. What can you do as an identity theft protection against either online or old-school identity thieves?
These days many of us do most of our shopping and banking in the Web for the sake of hassle-free buying. Many account numbers and passwords have been floating around. The first tip on how to protect yourself against identity thieves is to guide your information online.
Do not forget to clear your logins and password especially when you are using a public computer. It is better to change them monthly. This is a simple way of identity theft protection.
If you like to purchase online, use your credit card that has better guarantees under federal law than your online payment services or your debit card.
Be alert for phishing. These are spams or pop-ups that mimic legitimate banks or businesses that seek your personal information and sued it to steal your identity. Use websites with security controls before inputting personal data.
Second tip for your identity theft protection is always shred sensitive documents. These are your credit card applications, bills and anything with your personal information. Many identity thieves do dumpster-diving to gain personal details.
Dumpster-diving, although considered as old school, remains the most dangerous identity theft issues. Criminals would hunt through garbage for personal information. Study showed that 70 percent of household – sized trash bags contained a person’s full name and address and 30 percent contained a debit or credit card numbers.
The third tip is to monitor your bank and credit card statements for unusual information. Checking your accounts regularly so you know when a criminal already used your account. You would notice it when you do not make some purchases that were included in your bank statements.
The fourth tip for identity theft protection is to verify your mailing address on important accounts. Identity criminals may fill out change of address forms so that delinquent credit notices will be added to your paper billing.
The next and fifth tip is to keep an eye on your credit report. You can request free credit report every four months. You can order directly through the three bureaus named Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These bureaus can help you to detect flaws on your credit accounts.
Through ordering a credit report you can scan it for abnormal activity. These are accounts or credit cards you did not open. You can report it to your credit company provider for immediate actions.
The sixth tip is to follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. An identity thief may already change your address. Report it immediately to your creditors.
Destroy immediately unsolicited credit applications. Some criminals may pretend working on a credit company that would solicit for your personal information for them to use it fraudulently.
These steps are very helpful. Maintain alertness always. You do not know when identity thieves will steal your identity.
Jamie
Identity theft can happen to you anytime and anywhere. At this age of internet technology, you can already avail services that are available online. What can you do as an identity theft protection against either online or old-school identity thieves?
These days many of us do most of our shopping and banking in the Web for the sake of hassle-free buying. Many account numbers and passwords have been floating around. The first tip on how to protect yourself against identity thieves is to guide your information online.
Do not forget to clear your logins and password especially when you are using a public computer. It is better to change them monthly. This is a simple way of identity theft protection.
If you like to purchase online, use your credit card that has better guarantees under federal law than your online payment services or your debit card.
Be alert for phishing. These are spams or pop-ups that mimic legitimate banks or businesses that seek your personal information and sued it to steal your identity. Use websites with security controls before inputting personal data.
Second tip for your identity theft protection is always shred sensitive documents. These are your credit card applications, bills and anything with your personal information. Many identity thieves do dumpster-diving to gain personal details.
Dumpster-diving, although considered as old school, remains the most dangerous identity theft issues. Criminals would hunt through garbage for personal information. Study showed that 70 percent of household – sized trash bags contained a person’s full name and address and 30 percent contained a debit or credit card numbers.
The third tip is to monitor your bank and credit card statements for unusual information. Checking your accounts regularly so you know when a criminal already used your account. You would notice it when you do not make some purchases that were included in your bank statements.
The fourth tip for identity theft protection is to verify your mailing address on important accounts. Identity criminals may fill out change of address forms so that delinquent credit notices will be added to your paper billing.
The next and fifth tip is to keep an eye on your credit report. You can request free credit report every four months. You can order directly through the three bureaus named Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These bureaus can help you to detect flaws on your credit accounts.
Through ordering a credit report you can scan it for abnormal activity. These are accounts or credit cards you did not open. You can report it to your credit company provider for immediate actions.
The sixth tip is to follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. An identity thief may already change your address. Report it immediately to your creditors.
Destroy immediately unsolicited credit applications. Some criminals may pretend working on a credit company that would solicit for your personal information for them to use it fraudulently.
These steps are very helpful. Maintain alertness always. You do not know when identity thieves will steal your identity.
Jamie
Sep
3
Tony Francis asked:
What is Identity Theft? Identity theft is a crime in which a certain person uses another person’s information or identity in ways that involve fraud or deception, typically for their economic gain. They do this by using someone else identity instead of providing the correct and real information for their identities. And because of this actions the person, whose identity was wrongfully used by others, will suffer from financial hardships.
Today, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. All people whose identity is in the hand of other people are all at risk of identity theft, so basically, everyone is at risk. That is why identity theft protection is very useful nowadays.
In the United States alone, an average of 27,000 people is being pilfered of their identities daily. And according to studies made by the Identity Theft Resource Center, for every second a person’s identity is being stolen. And for every three seconds, a person’s identity would be exposed to thieves.
There are different types of identity theft, giving enough reason for everyone to get identity theft protection. Here are the different types of identity theft:
The first is the Driver’s License Identity Theft. In this manner of stealing someone’s identity, the victim can be subjected to traffic violations he did not permit.
The second is Credit Identity Theft. Here the theft uses someone else’s personal information to acquire loans, and thus leaving the victim paying bills for the loans he or she is not enjoying.
The third type of identity theft and third reason to get identity theft protection is the Social Security Number Identity Theft. Using another person’s Social security Number, the thief would apply for a job. The thief would get the salary for that job, but the victim would be the one to pay for the taxes.
The fourth is the Medical Identity Theft. The thief would use another person’s identity for consultations, prescriptions, and treatments, in other words, the victims insurance would be used by the thief, making the victim to lose his or her insurance coverage.
Lastly is the fifth type of identity theft and another reason to get identity theft protection is the Character Identity Theft. In this type of identity theft involves crimes. The person, whose identity was used, will be subjected to subpoena and will be charged of crimes he or she did not commit.
And in addition to these types of identity theft everyone should be aware of, everyone should also be aware that the most common way of identity theft is through the internet.
Downloaded files like documents, attachments and applications are sometimes filled with viruses. These viruses are released to your computer when the downloaded files are accessed or opened.
Besides the internet, everyone should also be vigilant with phishing mails or fraud phone calls because these are also used to steal one’s identity. And having an identity theft protection secures you from being a victim or identity theft. Identity theft protection can be simple tips everyone could use to protect themselves against identity theft.
One tip is to update your anti virus software. Because most cases of identity theft occur online, having your antivirus software up to date is a good precaution against identity theft. Another tip is to filter phishing mails by confirming with the company if they really are asking you personal information by phone calls to their official hotlines.
There are a lot of tips that a person could use against identity theft, and all are found in the internet.
Dennis
What is Identity Theft? Identity theft is a crime in which a certain person uses another person’s information or identity in ways that involve fraud or deception, typically for their economic gain. They do this by using someone else identity instead of providing the correct and real information for their identities. And because of this actions the person, whose identity was wrongfully used by others, will suffer from financial hardships.
Today, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. All people whose identity is in the hand of other people are all at risk of identity theft, so basically, everyone is at risk. That is why identity theft protection is very useful nowadays.
In the United States alone, an average of 27,000 people is being pilfered of their identities daily. And according to studies made by the Identity Theft Resource Center, for every second a person’s identity is being stolen. And for every three seconds, a person’s identity would be exposed to thieves.
There are different types of identity theft, giving enough reason for everyone to get identity theft protection. Here are the different types of identity theft:
The first is the Driver’s License Identity Theft. In this manner of stealing someone’s identity, the victim can be subjected to traffic violations he did not permit.
The second is Credit Identity Theft. Here the theft uses someone else’s personal information to acquire loans, and thus leaving the victim paying bills for the loans he or she is not enjoying.
The third type of identity theft and third reason to get identity theft protection is the Social Security Number Identity Theft. Using another person’s Social security Number, the thief would apply for a job. The thief would get the salary for that job, but the victim would be the one to pay for the taxes.
The fourth is the Medical Identity Theft. The thief would use another person’s identity for consultations, prescriptions, and treatments, in other words, the victims insurance would be used by the thief, making the victim to lose his or her insurance coverage.
Lastly is the fifth type of identity theft and another reason to get identity theft protection is the Character Identity Theft. In this type of identity theft involves crimes. The person, whose identity was used, will be subjected to subpoena and will be charged of crimes he or she did not commit.
And in addition to these types of identity theft everyone should be aware of, everyone should also be aware that the most common way of identity theft is through the internet.
Downloaded files like documents, attachments and applications are sometimes filled with viruses. These viruses are released to your computer when the downloaded files are accessed or opened.
Besides the internet, everyone should also be vigilant with phishing mails or fraud phone calls because these are also used to steal one’s identity. And having an identity theft protection secures you from being a victim or identity theft. Identity theft protection can be simple tips everyone could use to protect themselves against identity theft.
One tip is to update your anti virus software. Because most cases of identity theft occur online, having your antivirus software up to date is a good precaution against identity theft. Another tip is to filter phishing mails by confirming with the company if they really are asking you personal information by phone calls to their official hotlines.
There are a lot of tips that a person could use against identity theft, and all are found in the internet.
Dennis