IDENTITY THEFT ON THE RISE



If you think you don’t need identity theft protection, think again.  Identity theft is on the rise again and you could be the next victim. 

Why you Need Identity Theft Protection

If you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft, you know that having protection is an absolute necessity.  If you don't have identity theft protection and someone steals your identity, you will pay the price and it can cost you in the thousands of dollars just to regain your identity. 

Your attorneys fees will also be in the thousands of dollars.  Those who don’t have identity theft protection may never regain their identity and it can ruin your credit indefinitely!   You may never be able to purchase a house, rent an apartment, purchase a car or get new credit cards ever again.  

It’s so easy for someone to gain access to your identity.  Consumers are being attacked thousands of times a day!  Think about it… you’re going about your day thinking everything is just peachy when all of a sudden you go to get some money out of your bank account and it’s all gone.  What do you do now?

Your bank account is totally wiped out.  On top of that, your credit cards are wiped out and you can’t access your credit anymore or use your cards.  Your creditors have locked you out!  That’s a scary thought, but it happens every day.

Access to your Computer Information

Hackers are getting smarter and have found new ways of getting into your computer.  They now have programs that can actually figure out your passwords and obtain all of your personal information that’s stored on your computer.  My advice to you is to change simple passwords immediately.  The hardest passwords to crack are long passwords.  The longer the better.  Add numbers and symbols to your passwords and change them often. 

If you save any personal information on your computer such as passwords, bank account numbers or statements, any social security information, birthdays, your personal address or telephone numbers, your children’s birthdays or social security numbers, or anything else that can identify you, get rid of it now.

Even if you delete all of the personal information on your computer, hackers can access it.  The best way to totally delete this information is to shred it.  If you don’t have a shredder program, purchase one now.

Additionally, if you lose your computer, hackers can access all of your personal information even if you deleted it without using a shredder.  You will be better protected if you don’t store any personal information on your computer in the first place.   

Access to Your Trash

Hackers can also access your personal information by going through your trash.  That’s right!  They are experts at going through your trash and getting information about you.  They can steal your identity in a second. 

If you are in the habit of just throwing your bills, bank statements, credit card statements, social security statements, prescription information, cell phone bills, internet bills, mortgage information, etc., in your trash, the chances of your identity being stolen are tremendous. 

Before you throw them in the trash, shred them completely!

Don’t be a Victim – Divorced or Married

I am a victim of identity theft and when it happened to me, I didn’t have any protection.  Let me tell you it took me over eight years to sort things out.  My identity is still being used by my ex-husband.  If you are divorced or married, your identity can be stolen by those that are closest to you.

Divorced people are high on the list of identity theft victims.  If you are married, your spouse can and may have opened credit accounts without your knowledge.  It’s very easy for them to do.  Your best bet is to obtain all three of your credit reports and go over them with a fine tooth comb.  That’s how I found out about my identity being stolen by my husband while I was still married.

The Law Won’t Protect You

If your spouse or ex-spouse stole your identity and opened credit accounts in your name, you may not be protected by your state laws.  In most states, the laws won’t protect you (i.e., community property laws) and you may be responsible for paying back all those debts.  There is a way out.  Contact all of your creditors by letter (mailed by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested), and let them know what happened.  Be sure to send a copy of those letters to all three credit reporting agencies by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. 

Also be sure to tell them that this is identity fraud and that you will not be responsible for paying back the debt that your spouse or ex-spouse incurred illegally.  See if you can get copies of the credit applications or checks that have posted to your bank account; chances are your signature was forged and this will be your proof.

Remember that it is what it is…. identity theft!

Fraud Alerts

If you suspect that your spouse or ex-spouse or anyone else for that matter has used your identity to obtain credit, contact consumer services in your state, and contact all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) and let them know what’s going on.  Be sure to tell them to put a fraud alert on your credit reports.

The fraud alerts will be on your credit reports for at least seven years.  You can also have your bank and credit card companies put an alert on your cards.  When you use your cards, you will be asked the show some kind of identification.  This is an excellent way to protect yourself.

Purchase Identity Theft Protection Now!

Equifax Identity Protection -

I have tried several identity theft protection programs and have to say…by far…Equifax is the best.  Equifax are experts when it comes to identity theft protection.  For about $14.95 a month, Equifax will protect you from identity theft. 

If anyone tries to access your identity, Equifax will send you an alert.  Equifax also lets you know when someone has tried to access your credit reports or credit information, or inquires about your credit.  You also get free credit reports.  My suggestion to you is to go to http://www.equifax.com/ and get identity theft protection now.  You will be protected and Equifax insures you up to a certain amount to fight any identity theft cases you may incur.