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Minimize your Risk for Identity Theft
by Jeffrey Broobin
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.
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 theft, there are a few ways you can
guard against this damaging crime.
1. 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.
2. 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 report. 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.
3. 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 report
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 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.
Get your credit report and score NOW! (http://www.legalhelper.ws/credit-reports-online.aspx)
Jeffrey Broobin is a free-lance writer on family and finance issues; his main
goal is to help people during their complicated period of life.
Website: http://www.legalhelper.ws
jeffreyb@legalhelper.ws
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