Identity Theft - Stay informed to minimize your
risk and guard against "Identity Theft"!
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the number of identity theft incidents reached 9.9 million in 2003. These crimes are estimated to have taken the average victim $500 and 30 hours to resolve.
Learn what to do when you are a fraud victim
From stolen credit cards to total identity kidnapping, these ugly
and prevalent crimes are hard to prevent and often difficult to correct.
Although it is hard to truly avoid becoming a victim of Identity Fraud,
Learn what to do when you are a fraud victim.
Types of identity theft
Identity theft
crimes range from purse snatchings to kingpin-style fraud rings. The definition
of identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of
personal information, such as a Social Security number, in order to impersonate
someone else. Identity theft can occur when someone takes your mail, steals
your wallet or swipes your records from an institution. Most cases can be
resolved fairly easily if they are caught early. Creditors and banks usually
hold you responsible for only the first $50 of fraudulent charges. The most
serious cases of fraud can take several years and many resources to resolve.
Preventative measures
In this world of
smiling strangers, it can be tough to keep your identity safe. The best
security policy is to be aware of fraud and cautious about where you share
personal information. Check your account statements carefully each month and
keep an eye out for suspicious activity on your
credit reports - Get your 3-in-1 Report Here. A paper
shredder can also be a powerful tool for making sure personal information and
pre-approved credit offers don't end up in the wrong hands.
If your identity is stolen
If you suspect
that your identity has been stolen, the first step is to get all the facts
about the damage. Become your own detective-search your
credit history - Click here for a snapshot of yours and bank
accounts for clues. Ask your creditors to immediately cancel any fraudulent
charges and consider putting a security alert on your credit report. If the
theft is serious, file a police report. If fraudulent records start to show up
on your credit report, send letters of dispute to the reporting agencies with
copies of documentation supporting your claim. Signing up with a
Credit Monitoring Service - Order Now will inform you of
changes to your credit. It may take a while to fully recover the security of
your accounts, but it's crucial that you don't let the fraud escalate.
See Your 3-in-1 Credit Report Online Instantly
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Prattville Alabama
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