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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
Credit Scoring Blunders:
-Late
Payments
--more
mistakes
Identity Theft:
-Identity Theft Basics
-Resolving
-Preventing
-Credit
Card Theft
-Kids
& Identity Theft
-Seniors & Identity Theft
-Internet Phishing
-Privacy Questions to Ask
Mortgages
Auto Loans
Personal Loans
Debt Consolidation
Credit Cards
Home
-Taxes
-Managing Money
-Credit Help
-Checking Accounts
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PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT
Wall Street Journal recently conducted a survey,
asking Americans what their biggest fear is. Would you
believe that
identity theft was number one, above
terrorism. Identity theft is the the fastest growing
crime in the United States, costing consumers billions of
dollars every year. Therefore, being a victim of identity
theft is a valid concern.
Identity theft has two victims. One is the individual who
has had their personal information stolen. The other is
the bank, credit card or other lending institution that
has issued the thief credit.
There are things you can do that will help prevent you
from becoming a victim of identity theft. Below are some
tips that should be followed regularly to help ensure
that your information is not compromised.
-- Get a
copy of your credit report at least once a year to
check for inaccuracies and/or fraudulent activity. A good
idea would be to enroll in a
credit monitoring program as
well. You can learn more about the
protection from identity theft offered by credit
monitoring systems.
-- Other than your name and address, never have
any personal information printed on your checks, i.e.
your Social Security Number or your driver's license
number. Learn more about
keeping your Social Security Number safe. Also, do
you know
who has the right to request your SSN?
-- Never give your SSN to anyone! There are only a
few instances when someone can demand to see your SSN.
-- Do not keep any credit card accounts open that are not active. More on
identity theft and credit cards.
-- Never carry any personal information that you do not need. For
example, never carry your voter registration card,
Social Security card and/or passport with you unless you
know that you are going to use.
-- You know those 'pre-approved' credit card offers you receive in the
mail? Immediately rip them up and throw them out if you
are not going to use them.
-- When creating a password for any type of bank account or account
online, never use your mother's maiden name.
-- You can have the credit bureaus put a 'security alert' on your credit
file. This means that your approval is needed if any
credit bureau from granting any sort of credit.
-- Never send your personal, bank or credit card info to anyone via
email. Learn more about the
phishing scam.
You are putting yourself in a vulnerable spot if you do
not take all of the above situation very seriously.
If you already are a victim of identity theft, learn how
to
resolve your issues of identity theft.
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