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Guard Against Identity Theft
Stay informed to minimize your risk.
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. Click here to catch Identity Theft early by checking your free TransUnion credit report!
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. Click
here to catch Identity Theft early by checking your free TransUnion credit
report!
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. Click
here to catch Identity Theft early by checking your free TransUnion credit
report!
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.
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