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Credit Reports
Types of Credit Reports:
-Single
-3-in-1
-Credit Monitoring System
-Free Credit Report
Credit
Report Basics:
-Ordering
a Report Yearly
-Common
Questions
-Determining
Scores
-Interpreting Reports
-Disputing
Errors
--more
basics
Credit Achieving Tips:
-Improving
Credit Scores
-Building Credit
-Re-building
Credit
Identity Theft:
-Identity Theft Basics
-Resolving
-Preventing
-Credit
Card Theft
-Kids
& Identity Theft
-Seniors & Identity Theft
-Internet Phishing
-Privacy Questions to Ask
Credit Scoring Blunders:
-Late
Payments
--more
mistakes
Mortgages
Auto Loans
Personal Loans
Debt Consolidation
Credit Cards
Home
-Taxes
-Managing Money
-Credit Help
-Checking Accounts
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UNDERSTANDING IDENTITY THEFT
An identity thief is always on the prowl for
unsuspecting victims. Simple transactions like writing a
check, mailing tax returns, charging groceries seem
harmless. However, it is these types of transactions that
need to be safeguarded.
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If you become a victim of identity theft, you are likely
going to have to spend a lot of money, time and emotion
cleaning up and fixing your good name and credit. In
addition, being a victim of identity theft jeopardizes
your eligibility for all types of loans and credit as
well as opportunities for employment. You can even get
arrested for crimes that you did not commit!
How does identity theft occur?
Regardless of how hard you try to keep track of your
personal information, a talented identity theft will use
a variety of means for gaining access to your
information.
Below are some common examples of how identity thieves
work:
- They obtain data from businesses by:
--- Stealing information from their place of employment.
--- Bribing co-workers.
- The number one method identity thieves use for obtaining information is
by stealing mail. They can find credit card offers, bank
statements, tax information, etc.. in your mail.
- Going through garbage.
- Getting a copy of your credit report by posing as a landlord, boss or
someone else that has legal rights to access your credit
file.
- Steal your debit card numbers by using a device that is attached to ATM
machines. These machines capture your your card
information when you swipe it.
- Steal your purse or wallet.
- Going to post office and filling out a change of address form to divert
your mail to new location.
- Calling unsuspecting victims, posing as legitimate companies looking to
resolve problems with your account. This can also occur
in email form.
How do identity thieves use personal information?
- They will call your credit card company and
change the address associated with your account. As a
result of not receiving your bills, you do not realize
right away that your account is being charged up.
- They will open new credit card account in your name and obviously not
pay the bill.
- They will activate a new cell phone in your name.
- New bank accounts will be open in your name. Bad checks can now be
written.
- They can initiate transfers out of your bank account, depleting your
funds.
- An new car auto loan can be taken out in your name.
- They can get a drivers license with their picture, with your name.
You can learn
how to protect yourself from identity thieves and
what you can do if you are already a
victim of identity theft.
Related
Reading:
Protecting Your Social Security Number
When Can Your SSN be Demanded?
What is a Computer Virus?
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