Identity Theft is when somone steals you identity, like your credit card information, driver’s license, social security or other personal identification numbers and contact information, account numbers, address, etc. to use for themselves or their own criminal or dishonest purposes.
Identity Theft generally occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge, at least in the beginning – until bill collectors start calling you. Armed with your true name, the thief uses your information to open new accounts and then could take information to access existing accounts, spend or move your money, charge items to your credit card accounts, open lines of credit in your name, take our mortgages and car loans in your name and much, much more.
The thief can not only run big bills for you, but he can also commit fraud and crimes in your name. And believe it or not, all of this can be a big difficulty for you to prove.
There are ways of how you can help protect your identity, here are a few.
1. Lock up your personal identity cards and other documents that contain sensitive information and do not carry them with you (unless for trips). Do not keep them in areas where your workers can easily access them.
2. Try to have not more than one credit card active and cancel all other credit card accounts that you are not using currently, getting written confirmation from each that they are indeed closed. The fewer the number of credit cards, the better for you.
3. Check your bank, loan, credit card and other statements regularly every month for errors.
4. Do not respond to emails or phone calls asking for your personal information. Thieves often send emails to get an account in your name.
5. Destroy all personal information from your PC by using special deleting destruction program software (check online for more information).
6. Immediately report any loss of personal identity information or documents, cards, etc.
Things to do if you are a victim of identity theft:
a. Place a fraud alert report on your credit account. This will prevent thieves from opening accounts in your name.
b. Close all accounts that you know or think have been compromised.
c. File a police report to register the theft with your local authorities.
Posts
0 Comments