 |
Identity Theft : They Got Him
His hard earned money? Gone. Creditors on his back everyday.
Police knocking on his door. His family strained to the breaking
point. He didn't do anything wrong but my business partner's life
got turned upside down a few years back. He became a victim of
what is now the fastest growing crime in the world. Identity
theft.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, since 1999 over 27
million people in the US alone became victims of this epidemic 10
million more last year. Harris InterActive,a marketing research
company, reports that between 2002 and 2003 roughly 19,178 people
per day fell victim.
Your identity can be stolen in many ways. For my partner, the
thief gained access to his social security number and address
then applied for a series of loans in his name. When the bills
came due, guess who the creditors and law enforcement held
accountable?
He and his family felt the full impact. Identity theft can
cripple and even destroy a person's life. Not just the time loss
trying to recover your identity but also the out of pocket
expense. U.S.Treasury Secretary John Snow calls identity theft
"the greatest threat to consumers and far more insidious and
harmful to our national welfare than many people realize."
The internet doesn't make it any better with its almost
limitless access to information but a great deal of identity
theft still comes from the offline world. Wherever it comes from
the goal stays the same. Get your personnal information and steal
what belongs to you for as long as possible.
In many cases, this can lead to the victim filing for
bankruptcy or worse. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, one man
whose identity got stolen recently spent 54 days in jail before
authorities realized their mistake.
Yet even when the thief finally gets caught, victims find out
all too often the worse part still lies ahead. The recovery of
their identity. For my partner, that meant never ending battles
with the same credit bureaus that previously gave him good
ratings.
They destroyed his credit almost overnight eventhough he did
everything they told him to get it restored. The agencies refused
to clear his record and instead, started sharing his information
with each other. His mortgage rates went thru the roof. He paid
more for everything but still got declined. With all of this came
the burden and fear of him not knowing if he would ever recover
his identity.
Six years later he finally did. He started working with a
company that within 90 days restored his credit. His mortgage
rate dropped and he went back to paying full price for everything
like the rest of us.
And like my partner, all of us risk becoming victims. In San
Antonio Texas, television station KENS 5 spoke with a man
convicted of identity theft who warned "Don't take for granted
what you have because anybody could take it away - I mean at the
snap of a finger."
He would know. The ways of stealing an identity have turned
this crime from nuisance to worldwide crisis.
Daryl Campbell is a technical and screenplay writer and CEO of
Campbell Marketing, L.L.C. His website winthemarket.com,
mini-sites, and articles submitted to ezines help the reader to
grow and protect their internet marketing business.
Can you afford to hire professionals who will give you 24/7
protection, complete identity restoration and the best legal
services? Identity thieves hope you answer no. Upset them by
going to http://digbig.com/4cmcg now.
MORE RESOURCES:
Credit - Google News
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Identity Theft
Exploding: Here's How You Can Avoid Becoming A
Victim
Americans are more concerned about identity theft than
unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of
2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.Nine out of ten
Americans demand new federal legislation, while two-thirds
say the financial services industry needs to do a better
job of verifying the identity of customers who open bank
accounts (66 percent) and credit card accounts (72
percent).
FREE Credit Report Offer
- Careful, It Might Carry Hidden Charges
FREE credit checks or free credit reports. What are they
all about? Why every second company on the Net is offering
you a free credit report? Are they all suddenly moved into
a charity business?Don't worry about their finances.
Credit Card Is Adding
The Silver Lining To Your Pocket
In the new millennium plastic money or credit cards has
rendered a new zing factor to your pocket. This has not
only made you economically more flexible but subsequently
added glamour to your financial image as well.
Understanding Credit
Report Score
Understanding credit report scores is important when you
see your credit report because you need to be able to make
some sense of it.Your credit score is used by anyone
loaning you money such as credit card companies, home loan
lenders, auto loan lenders and finance companies.
Are you paying higher
interest on your credit cards than you think?
Many credit card holders sign up for a credit account with
an 8.9% interest rate and then later realize that their
interest rate has been bumped to 27.
Learn About Prepaid
Credit Card
Prepaid credit cards also called stored value card can be
ideal for individuals who are unemployed, have bad credit
or difficulty obtaining an unsecured credit card. Prepaid
credit cards are also excellent for individuals who have a
hard time controlling their spending and prevent the
individual from overspending and getting into credit card
debt.
Shoppers Beware - Tis
The Season
It's the number one complaint from consumers and it only
takes a moment for you to become a victim. While you search
for holiday bargains, identity thieves are searching for
targets - unsuspecting consumers.
How To Boost Your Credit
Score
Years ago your credit score was a big secret, known only to
a select few such as your mortgage and credit card
companies. In 2000, Fair, Isaac Co.
Free Credit Reports: From
The 3 Major Credit Bureaus!
Get your credit report online for FREE. Many financial
advisors suggest that you periodically review your credit
report for inaccuracies or omissions.
What Are The Most Common
Credit Card Mistakes?
Now in a world with so many easy to get credit cards it can
be easy for someone who is a first time credit card holder,
or even someone who has several credit cards in the past to
make mistakes when using the card.One of the most common
mistakes when using credit cards is to use the credit card
to make purchases of things you are not really able to
afford.
Learning the Disturbing
Facts about Credit Card Debt
When I received my first credit card in the mail at age 18
I was ecstatic, I said to myself, wow now I'm getting
somewhere in life. This credit card company thinks I'm
worthy of 500 dollars in credit.
Credit Cards for Home
Business
It is wise for you to have a company credit card like a
VISA card. How can you find the least expensive bank card
for your business? You may decide to use a VISA card from
your local bank.
How A Prepaid Debit Card
Can Help You Rebuild Your Credit
Consumers today are up to their eyeballs in debt. And many
people don't realize it until their good credit has been
devastated.
Five Debt Negotiation
Facts
These five debt negotiation facts along with a few debt
reduction planning tools gives you the ability to control
your own debt. For many people today credit card debt is a
mounting problem and very few know how to successfully
negotiate debt settlements.
Compare Credit Card
Offers and Reward Yourself
Here's a simple system on how to pay zero interest and get
tons of free stuff. Almost everyone uses credit cards.
Know Your Credit Card
Rights
When you apply for a credit card, the application that you
sign is also a legally binding contract laying out all the
termsbetween you and the bank, such as the interest rate
and how its calculated, the grace period, whether there's
an annual fee, etc.While you have to agree to the terms and
sign if you want the credit card and while the lender will
certainly hold you to the terms, the lender doesn't feel
similarly committed.
Credit Cards - The Top 3
Things You Need To Know
Today there are so many different credit cards available,
student prepaid, low interest cards etc. that it has
becomes a real hassle to find the right one that will suit
your needs.
Credit Reports - Why
Your Credit Score is Important
If you have never heard of a FICO score before, you should
become familiar with the term. Named for the firm that
invented it, Fair Isaac Corp.
Credit Counseling
Basics
Credit counseling is an option you might want to consider
if you are having financial problems. The stress can be
overwhelming when you have creditors calling you daily to
collect money that you simply don't have.
Low Interest Credit
Cards Have Many Advantages
When credit cards are used wisely they can be very
beneficial to the consumer. A low interest credit card can
be exceptionally beneficial.
|
|
