| On the average, an identity theft victim takes at least | | | | bureaus. If you are going to request for your credit |
| 600 hours cleaning off their identity. The 600 hours | | | | report every four months, then you can surely monitor |
| include going around town getting reports and | | | | your credit all year long at four months interval. |
| affidavits to prove the theft, checking out the things | | | | 4. Accounts Online - whenever your bank offers online |
| that have been compromised, and trying really hard to | | | | services, you have to take advantage of this feature |
| get their identity back. Considering the average time, | | | | especially if it would allow you to view your accounts. |
| that should be a lot of time recovering from a crime of | | | | You need to login periodically or check your account |
| which you were the sole victim. | | | | regularly so you can be sure that there are no |
| Here's the bad news: no individual can protect his or | | | | unauthorized charges that have been made using your |
| herself from identity theft 100%, even if he or she is | | | | account. Do not write down or tell anyone your login |
| covered by an identity theft company. But don't let that | | | | information. Keep them simple and easily recalled. |
| get you down, of course, the good news is that you | | | | 5. Credit Monitoring - while credit monitoring can get |
| can significantly reduce the risk of getting victimized if | | | | pretty expensive, it is one of the most effective ways |
| you act immediately as soon as you realize that your | | | | of detecting identity theft. As compared to the cost of |
| personal information has been compromised. | | | | ordering your credit report a couple of times a year, |
| Here's what you can do: | | | | credit monitoring is way cheaper. Of course, you need |
| 1. Fraud Alert - you should immediately contact one of | | | | to shop around and check out the best prices. |
| the three credit bureaus to report a fraud alert. It | | | | 6. Social Security number -- if put in the wrong hands, |
| typically lasts from 90 days up to 7 years. When a | | | | this can prove to be very fatal as far as your credit |
| fraud alert is set on your account, different business | | | | report is concerned. Whenever possible, do not carry |
| establishments are notified to take extra steps to | | | | your social security card in your wallet. Do not even |
| confirm your identity when various actions are taken | | | | write it down. |
| on your credit | | | | 7. Check Order - your checks are less likely to get |
| 2. Credit Report Security Freeze - this is one step | | | | stolen when they are personally picked up. Stolen |
| higher than a fraud alert because when this is placed, | | | | checks are another way for identity theft to take |
| a PIN or password will be required by establishments | | | | place. Utilizing your routing and checking account |
| before anyone can check your credit report. Also, | | | | numbers, an identity thief can reproduce your checks |
| unlike a fraud alert, a fee needs to put a security | | | | and use them to make his own purchases. So |
| freeze on your credit report. | | | | whenever you order checks, it is safer to pick them up |
| 3. credit reports - all individuals are entitled to receive | | | | in the bank than having them mailed to you. |
| one credit report from each of the three credit | | | | |