| If you have unfortunately been a victim of | | | | in Asia! Call your credit card company; you |
| identity theft, you need to come up with a | | | | pay them hefty fees for someone to answer |
| plan for identity theft solutions so that | | | | your call 24/7. There might not be a need for |
| this or something like this doesn't happen | | | | an identity theft solution if it was a simple |
| ever again to you or someone close to you. | | | | mistake. A part of the statement could get |
| | | | cut off and it could actually be a $40 gas |
| A Handy Checklist: | | | | bill for the trip you took to Indiana last |
| | | | month! – Review Report – 4. |
| BE Prepared | | | | Review your credit report at least once a |
| | | | year, and more if possible. Check if any new |
| 1. Make a list of all the companies you need | | | | accounts have been opened that you have not |
| to call and do it quickly. Your list will | | | | authorized. Check if the dollar amounts on |
| include credit card companies, bank accounts, | | | | the credit balances you have are correct. A |
| other loans, mortgage payments and the like. | | | | measly zero can make or break your credit |
| After your call to freeze cards and issue | | | | when you go to buy a new car or find a home. |
| stop payments on checks you did not write, | | | | – Drivers Lisence & Check- |
| send the companies a letter in writing and | | | | |
| keep copies. | | | | 5. An important identity theft solution is to |
| | | | avoid having your driver's license number or |
| Follow up with another call to see if any | | | | social security number printed on your |
| solution to your identity theft has been | | | | checks. If you do pay by check, the cashier |
| figured out. Keep a track of whom you have | | | | can check your ID and write the number in |
| called and if there is anything you need to | | | | front of you. 6. Know and review with other |
| get back to them with. | | | | family members whom to call if you find your |
| | | | wallet has been stolen. – Computer |
| Credit Card | | | | – 7. Update your computer virus |
| | | | protection, anti-spam software and install |
| 2. File a police report and contact the | | | | firewalls so some college nerds do not try to |
| credit reporting agencies. If you are | | | | hack in to your system just for the fun of |
| traveling, ask your credit card company to | | | | it. – Online Shopping – 8. A |
| overnight you a new card. | | | | relatively newer identity theft solution is |
| | | | gaining popularity. When shopping online, use |
| Check First | | | | a unique virtual credit card number provided |
| | | | by your card company for the exact amount of |
| 3. Always check your credit card statement | | | | your purchase. That is a secure way of seeing |
| before you pay it and never assume it is | | | | to it that no one can use your card over and |
| correct. A charge at a gas station for $40 is | | | | above the amount you enter for that |
| okay, but a charge at a gas station in India | | | | transaction. |
| is not especially if you've never laid foot | | | | |