| Most people think they'll never become a victim of | | | | How can you find out if your identity was stolen? |
| identity theft because they assume a Fraud Alert or | | | | According to a identity theft service Detect Identity |
| Credit Freeze submitted to the three credit reporting | | | | Theft "The best way to find out is to monitor your |
| bureaus insulates them from criminal activity. Though | | | | accounts and bank statements each month, and |
| these measures are a good proactive measure, they | | | | check your credit report on a regular basis. If you |
| don't make you bullet proof. | | | | check your credit report regularly, you may be able to |
| Even the Federal Trade Commission advises "While a | | | | limit the damage caused by identity theft. Unfortunately, |
| fraud alert can help keep an identity thief from opening | | | | many consumers learn that their identity has been |
| new accounts in your name, it's not a solution to all | | | | stolen after some damage has been done. |
| types of identity theft. It will not protect you from an | | | | - You may find out when bill collection agencies |
| identity thief using your existing credit cards or other | | | | contact you for overdue debts you never incurred. |
| accounts. It also will not protect you from an identity | | | | - You may find out when you apply for a mortgage or |
| thief opening new accounts in your name that do not | | | | car loan and learn that problems with your credit |
| require a credit check - such as a telephone, wireless, | | | | history are holding up the loan. |
| or bank account. And, if there's identity theft already | | | | You may find out when you get something in the mail |
| going on when you place the fraud alert, the fraud alert | | | | about an apartment you never rented, a house you |
| alone won't stop it. A fraud alert, however, can be | | | | never bought, or a job you never held." |
| extremely useful in stopping identity theft that involves | | | | Distraction is Your Key Enemy! |
| opening a new line of credit." | | | | Like generally everyone else your life is pretty much |
| On the other hand, some people actually believe their | | | | sliced, diced and dictated. There is only so much time in |
| credit worthiness is so small, an identity thief would see | | | | a day, week or year that isn't crammed with other |
| no value in stealing their identity. This is yet another | | | | agendas such as work, family, home, medical, legal and |
| fallacy because there is much more to an identity theft | | | | 100 other appointments, responsibilities, commitments |
| than taking money out of a bank account. Identities | | | | and as said; distractions from the most important |
| according to the FTC can also be used as follows; | | | | requirement of protecting, preserving and/or reinstating |
| "With Credit Card Fraud they may change the billing | | | | your good name and standing. Sure, we all know by |
| address on your credit card so that you no longer | | | | now how important it is to request a free annual credit |
| receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. | | | | report, to review the banking transactions, implement a |
| Because your bills are now sent to a different address | | | | credit freeze, shred junk mail and numerous other |
| and it may be some time before you realize there's a | | | | things it takes to avoid identity theft but; do we have |
| problem. With Utilities Fraud hey may use your name | | | | or take the time to make ourselves a less favorable |
| to get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable | | | | target to the criminals? With the ever rising occurrence |
| TV. | | | | of identity theft, that answer is obvious to the criminals. |
| With Banking Fraud they may create counterfeit | | | | There is a Simpler Solution |
| checks using your name or account number. They | | | | There are expert identity theft services around who |
| may open a bank account in your name and write bad | | | | protect your well-being. They have one job and one |
| checks. They may clone your ATM or debit card and | | | | responsibility and that is to monitor your identity and |
| make electronic withdrawals your name, draining your | | | | keep it safe. If your identity is stolen, their job is to |
| accounts and/or they may take out a loan in your | | | | make everything right again. I know, it's easy to say; |
| name. With Phone or utilities fraud they may open a | | | | "I'm not paying for a service I can do myself." That's |
| new phone or wireless account in your name, or run | | | | exactly what criminals are banking upon because the |
| up charges on your existing account. They may use | | | | truth of the matter is, most people aren't doing it, don't |
| your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, | | | | know how or are simply distracted from this needed |
| or cable TV. | | | | responsibility by daily life events. Secondly, a credit |
| With Bank/finance fraud they may create counterfeit | | | | freeze in almost every state (though not bullet proof) |
| checks using your name or account number. They | | | | costs anywhere from 10-30 dollars every time you |
| may open a bank account in your name and write bad | | | | implement, lift, reactivate or extend this one proactive |
| checks. They may clone your ATM or debit card and | | | | measure. On the other hand you can have this and |
| make electronic withdrawals your name, draining your | | | | many other actions taken care of for you for a small |
| accounts. They may take out a loan in your name. | | | | one-time lifetime fee or monthly fee that costs less |
| With Government documents fraud they may get a | | | | annually than most people spend on coffee, hobbies, |
| driver's license or official ID card issued in your name | | | | fast food or candy bars. |
| but with their picture. They may use your name and | | | | You Can Do What You Want |
| Social Security number to get government benefits. | | | | You are the administrator of your life choices but I |
| They may file a fraudulent tax return using your | | | | guarantee being a victim of identity theft is not an |
| information. And last but not least with Other fraud | | | | inexpensive process nor swift situation to recover |
| they may get a job using your Social Security number. | | | | from. Don't you think you at least owe it to yourself |
| They may rent a house or get medical services using | | | | and/or family to at least check out the inexpensive |
| your name. They may give your personal information | | | | service of professionals available that are strictly |
| to police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their | | | | focused and dedicated to safeguarding and |
| court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your | | | | representing your identity? |
| name." | | | | |