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Minimize your Risk for Identity Theft
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)
About The Author
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. jeffreyb@legalhelper.ws
Website: http://www.legalhelper.ws
MORE RESOURCES:
Credit - Google News
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