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Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Identity theft has become the fastest growing criminal activity
in the 20th Century, replacing illegal drug sales. For the
perpetrators, it offers the highest profit margin with the least
risk. In fact, according to one expert, it is estimated that
fewer than 1-in-700-identity crimes actually result in a
conviction.
In the United States alone, Identity theft has reached $53
billion dollars a year. Consumers are directly shouldering about
$5 billion of that, but the rest, which is paid by businesses
and retailers, is passed on indirectly to consumers who are
paying more for goods and services.
How BIG is this Problem?
In recent months, there has been a rash of reports about big
thefts, where criminals are stealing identities in mass
quantities. Banks, credit card companies and businesses that
house servers storing passwords or other sensitive, private
information have all reported "break-ins" that happened through
the use of Trojan viruses and other online hacking methods -
resulting in the loss of millions of pieces of information being
stolen. There have also been instances of the information just
getting "lost", of employees selling it and other lax security
measures resulting in the same thing - thieves having access to
your identity.
What do Thieves Want?
- Your Name - Date of Birth - Home Address - Phone Numbers -
Social Security Number - Driver's License Number - Credit Card
Numbers - CW2 Security Code (the number on the back of your
credit card) - Your Credit Report - ATM Cards - Telephone
Calling Cards - Mortgage Details
Where Are They Getting All Your Information?
High-tech methods include online thefts from:
- Banks - Credit-Reference Agencies - Retailers - Credit Card
Networks - Data-Brokerage Companies - Payment Processing
Companies - Phone Companies - Schools - Your Employer - Doctors,
Clinics and Health Departments - Government Agencies
But there are still low-tech methods that are effective as well:
- Dumpster Diving - Mail Theft - Retail Theft -
"Phishing"/pretexting/pretending - Purse/Wallet Theft
What are Thieves Using Your Information For?
- Making charges to your existing credit cards - Opening new
credit cards in your name - Having phone or utilities turned on
- Withdrawing money from your existing bank accounts -
Employment purposes - Driver's Licenses - Tax Fraud - Social
Service benefits - Student loans - Business or Personal loans -
Health care - Mortgage loans/leases - Auto loans - Using your ID
when caught committing a crime
How Can You Protect Yourself?
- Keep a photocopy of all your credit cards, bank account
numbers and investment account numbers in a safe place - Keep
your credit card receipts - don't throw them away in a public
place - Put a "fraud alert" on all your credit reports - If you
apply for credit and the card doesn't arrive on time, call the
card issuer - Choose difficult to guess PIN numbers or
passwords. (Don't use birth dates, your mother's maiden name,
pet's name, etc.) - Never
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give personal information to anyone
who sends you an email, a letter or calls you asking for it -
Shred any personal information - such as bills, credit card or
bank statements, even pre-approved credit applications before
throwing them away - Don't use the ATM machine if someone is
watching you - Pay attention to what's going on around you -
cell phones often have cameras in them. If someone is standing
close by you with a cell phone while you're entering a PIN
number at the ATM or in line at the grocery store, block their
view - Review your bills each month for unusual or suspicious
charges. If there's something you don't remember or doesn't seem
right, call the creditor right away - Check your credit report
at least once a year - Store your cancelled checks safely, or
better yet, have the bank do it. You can always get a copy if
you need one. - Don't leave your purse in plain sight when
driving - Keep your valuable locked in the trunk or glove box
when driving - Make all personal information on your laptop or
computer password protected - Don't carry information about your
PIN numbers, passwords and account numbers in your purse or
wallet; or at least don't make them easily identifiable as to
which account they belong to
Warning Signs that Your Identity Has Been Stolen:
- Although you have good credit, a loan application is denied,
or you're refused extended credit requests - You are suddenly
contacted by a debt-collection agency - Your purse or wallet has
been stolen, or your house broken into - There is unfamiliar
activity on your credit report
What to do if it Happens to You:
- If your purse or wallet is stolen, call the police
immediately, and file a report. Make sure that you're given a
report number - Contact your bank, credit card and other credit
extending companies and report the theft - Close the accounts -
Contact the credit-reporting companies in your area, and report
the theft. - Review your credit report every 90 days for the
next year for suspicious activity - If there is fraudulent
activity, have it removed immediately and monitor your credit
report every 90 days for the next year - Put everything in
writing, and follow up with your credit card companies, banks,
and credit reporting agencies. Keep copies of all supporting
documents - File a report with the Federal Trade Commission -
Change the passwords on your existing accounts and create new
ones for new accounts
Identity theft is real, and it's a growing problem, and it could
happen to you. Although there are no guarantees that you can
keep your information safe, by paying attention to the risks and
taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can minimize
your chances of someday having an "identity crisis". Good luck!
About the author:
David Neese is a real estate investing author who offers a free
course for real estate investors delivered by email, audio and
teleseminar which you can get for free at:
http://www.FreeRealEstateInvestingCourses.com You can find more
information about David at http://www.DigitalSuccessCoach.com
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