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Identity Theft - Who Would Want Mine?
With all my bills who would possibly want my credit? Let them
steal my identity and pay my bills! Unfortunately, that's not the
way it works. Many of us mistakenly believe that identity thieves
hit only the wealthy. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The average person is often more vulnerable that those we
consider wealthy?
When someone steals your identity, they probably won't touch
your existing accounts and they certainly aren't going to use
your address. That would alert you to the problem. Last year the
Identity Theft Resource Center reported that 73 percent of
identity thieves will open new lines of credit in your name with
a new address. Sixty three percent will take out loans in your
name. Thirty seven percent will have cell phones or phone service
in your name. Fifteen percent will even lease a car or apartment
in your name. And guess what? They aren't going to pay the
bills!
The Federal Trade Commission reported that in the last five
years 27 million identities were stolen. That's one in every 8
adults. That's more than 1,100 thefts per hour, three times the
number of household burglaries. It's definitely the fastest
growing crime in America.
How will you learn your identity has been stolen? Eighty- five
percent learn the hard way. They apply for credit and it's
denied. The collection agency calls trying to collect on past due
bills for things they didn't buy. Only fifteen percent are lucky
enough to have a business alert them through verifying an
application or an address change.
How does your identity get stolen? The number one way is by
stealing your purse or wallet. That gives them your name, birth
date, and often your social security number. That's all they need
to establish credit in your name. Your mailbox is also a prime
target. If you receive checks or pre-approved credit offers in
the mail you are at risk. Some will steal directly from your
mailbox. Others will send in a change of address form and let the
Post Office bring it to them. Then there is the "dumpster diver"
who goes through the trash at homes or businesses to find the
needed information.
You can't stop identity theft from happening. But you can
reduce your risk! Remove unnecessary information from your purse
or wallet. You need your social security card when you start a
new job but you don't need to carry it the rest of the time. Is
your social security number on your driver's license? Request a
different number from the from the state motor vehicle
department. Keep those credit card offers out of your mailbox.
Have your name taken off the marketing list of the three major
credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union).
Drop your bills off at the post office instead of putting the
flag up on your mailbox. Never give an unsolicited caller your
social security number, credit card number, or other personal
information over the phone. If someone calls representing your
financial institution or a creditor get their name, location,
telephone number, and the reason they are calling. Then call them
back at the phone number printed on your billing statement, not
the number they gave you.
Routinely check your credit report for accuracy or even
better; subscribe to a monitoring service. It's an easy and cost
effective way to protect your family's name and finances. A
professional credit analysis yields valuable information. They'll
give you specific instructions to reduce your chances of becoming
an identity theft victim. Daily monitoring gives you the earliest
possible detection. Early detection keeps personal and business
losses to a minimum. Businesses are hit hard by identity theft.
Remember they pass those costs on to you, the consumer.
You don't have to become an overnight identity theft expert.
Letting a professional resolve the situation for you makes an
otherwise costly, frustrating, and unpleasant experience easier
to bear. You'll have the peace of mind of knowing that someone is
always there watching your back for you.
Steve Mueller has over 25 years of human resource experience.
He has worked in various fields of human resources; as a Trainer
for Cooper Industries, Compensation and Management Development
Manager for Zenith Electronics, Plant Personnel Manager for a
motor manufacturing company and Benefits Manager for a
multi-location distribution company. Steve holds a bachelors of
science degree in education from Pittsburg State University. He
has taught numerous adult education classes and seminars in the
community. Steve has received community service awards for his
participation in elementary school child safety programs.
www.solutionsplan.com
MORE RESOURCES:
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