Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information (social security number, credit card numbers or some other personal information) and uses that information to apply for loans or credit cards under your name or to make unauthorized purchases or gain access to your financial accounts. It is extremely prevalent these days, but there are steps you can take which will reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft.
Laptop Battery 1. NEVER give out personal information (date of birth, social security number, credit card numbers) over the phone, by email or on the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you're dealing with. If your social security number is requested, ask if another form of ID could be substituted in its place.
ID theft is preventable! Identity theft statistics show that understanding the tactics and techniques used by identity thieves is the key to effective prevention. In the Privacy Matters Identity Theft Learning Center you'll find articles, news and online resources that will keep you informed about identity theft restoration, fraud protection, background checks, and other essential ID theft topics.
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Thinkpad 2. ALWAYS shred papers that have your personal information on them before throwing them away. Papers that should be shredded include credit card receipts, checks, bank statements, credit card statements, expired credit cards and pre-approved credit card offers. Cross-cut shredders are great for this purpose.
prompting creditors to obtain authorization for new lines of credit or credit file changes that could lead to identity theft. financial identity theft. LifeLock backs its restoration services with a unique $1 million service guarantee that will recover 100 percent of a victim's related losses. In addition, approved credit card offers, viewed as one of the most common sources of information theft. LifeLock provides the nation's only identity theft prevention program for children.
Microsoft 3. Keep accurate and current records of all your credit cards and who you should contact in case they are lost or stolen. You may want to take copies of your credit cards and write the customer service number on the copy. If you are not currently using some of your credit cards, you should keep them securely locked away. Other things to keep in a secure location include: unused checks, your social security card, bank statements and credit card statements.
If you come across any additional information or problems related to your identity, be sure to call the Identity Theft Hotline to update your complaint. 6. Look into services designed to help you restore your identity. Identity restoration can be a long, involved process. You may want to use an Identity Restoration Service to guide you through the entire process. They'll investigate your specific case, look for other signs of identity theft committed in your name, and help you file the proper paperwork and take the necessary steps to address the damage that's likely been done to your credit rating. The FTC is continually working to find additional, proactive steps for identity theft prevention. Be sure to visit the FTC website at //www.ftc. for rmation about restoring your identity and about identity theft prevention.
Laptop Computers 4. ALWAYS make sure you get your copy of a credit card receipt when making a purchase. Check to make sure your credit card was returned to you as well.
LifeLock will travel for two weeks and log 6, 620 miles, stopping in numerous markets along the East Coast. Along the campaign trail, LifeLock CEO Todd Davis, accompanied by identity theft prevention ambassadors and former victims, will host events and seminars to shed light on the growing crime of identity theft. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign a petition requesting Congress enact more stringent laws to protect consumers from losses of data, problems of identity theft, and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime. The petition will be handed over to members of Congress in Washington, D.C. on March 6.
Laptop Computer 5. Check your credit reports annually. There are three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Every year, you are allowed one free credit report from each of these credit reporting agencies. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit reports, ordering one from a different agency every 4 months.
- 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.
Desktop Computer 6. ALWAYS make sure there are no "shoulder surfers" around when you are keying in your PIN number at an ATM or store. Be careful that no one overhears you when giving out your credit card number or personal information over the phone.
Notebooks 7. When purchasing on the internet, always make sure the site you're using is secure. You know you're on a secure site if the web address changes from http:// to https:// when you click on "buy" or "add to cart." You will also note a lock or key symbol in the lower corner of the web page.
Lenovo 8. On your own computer, use a firewall and virus protection. Use passwords that include letters, numbers and symbols to make them more difficult to break. Never use PIN numbers that are obvious, such as your birth date, street number, phone number, the last four digits of your social security number or any consecutive numbers. Memorize your PIN number-do not write it down. If your mother's maiden name is requested for security purposes, use a password instead-one you will remember.
Hard Drive 9. NEVER respond to emailed requests from banks or creditors to update your information. You should always call the institution directly or go to their website (do NOT use the website the email directs you to) to update your information. Rarely do banks or other institutions request such information by email, and it is a simple task for someone to create a website that looks just like your bank's or creditor's.
Travelstar 10. If you receive lots of pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, call (888) 5OPT OUT to have your name removed from the marketing lists sold by the major credit bureaus.
Gateway 11. Drop off outgoing mail at your post office or collection box rather than leaving it in your mailbox for pick up.
Laptop Parts 12. Have new checks mailed to your bank and pick them up there.
Software 13. Place passwords on your bank accounts, brokerage accounts and credit card accounts for protection. Once again, use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.
Hard Drives 14. Consider an ID theft insurance policy.
Electronics 15. Register with Equifax Credit WatchT. Equifax Credit WatchT makes monitoring your report easy by automatically alerting you within 24 hours of key changes in your Equifax Credit ReportT - like when someone tries to get credit in your name or there are sudden changes in your credit card balances. - so you can act before serious damage is done.
Canon For a list of signs that you may be a victim of identity theft, go to http://understandingidentitytheft.com/articles/article-67.html
For further information on identity theft, visit http://understandingidentitytheft.com. For information on how to check and/or correct your credit report, go to http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.
Desktop Pc Debbie Pettitt teaches you all about identity theft: what it is, how it occurs and what to do if you are a victim at http://understandingidentitytheft.com.
If you need help straightening out your credit report, learn all about it at http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.
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