Identity Theft! Watch out!
Do take a few minutes to read this article as you may be one of the victims of identity theft. Identity theft is a condition where someone erroneously uses your personal information to get loan, steal money, transfer credit, open new accounts etc., in your name. You may not know about it until maybe you plan to get a loan or buy a new house. Or worse, when you are asked to pay back a loan that someone else has taken in your name. Though you cannot completely make sure that no one uses your personal information falsely, you could be a little more cautious by regularly going through your credit reports.
In case you have already been affected by identity theft then there are a few steps that you should follow as soon as possible. With evidence, report the matter firstly to the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, then, to the police and the Federal trade commission. Finally in case of fraud report it to the concerning credit card company. It is extremely mandatory for you to report the problem immediately after you notice it. Any delay might work against you.
In case of Social Security number (SSN) misuse, though the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not usually assist in identification of theft victims, do contact the SSA on time, to report Social Security benefit fraud, employment fraud, or welfare fraud.
Once you are done with reporting, keep track of your credit reports. Try to make it regular. Make use of the law which helps to obtain free credit reports at the end of every 12 months. In case of any suspicious dealings, immediately call or mail the concerned creditor or bank and let them know about it. If you are lucky enough you may be able to trace the thief or in the least, resolve your problem. Once your identity theft dispute with a company has been resolved, get the company’s closure, on the disputed accounts, in black and white. This will come in handy in case the problems relating to this account resurfaces.
As the good old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. It is very important to make your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information, more personal. Once the identity thief catches hold of any of these details then you are sure to confront a tough battle against all the mess that he would make. So the next time you dispose your bills which has personal or financial information or fill up your personal information in unknown websites, think twice. It might as well be someone who is trying to steal information about you and use it to drain your financial savings and destroy your reputation.
Be exceptionally watchful over the internet. This is the medium where you can easily spill over personal information. If you feel that a particular website is not authorized, then make sure you do not enter any personal information in it. And do not open spam messages. You can help others from falling victim to this kind of fraud by spreading awareness among your family and friends.
Do take a few minutes to read this article as you may be one of the victims of identity theft. Identity theft is a condition where someone erroneously uses your personal information to get loan, steal money, transfer credit, open new accounts etc., in your name. You may not know about it until maybe you plan to get a loan or buy a new house. Or worse, when you are asked to pay back a loan that someone else has taken in your name. Though you cannot completely make sure that no one uses your personal information falsely, you could be a little more cautious by regularly going through your credit reports.
In case you have already been affected by identity theft then there are a few steps that you should follow as soon as possible. With evidence, report the matter firstly to the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, then, to the police and the Federal trade commission. Finally in case of fraud report it to the concerning credit card company. It is extremely mandatory for you to report the problem immediately after you notice it. Any delay might work against you.
In case of Social Security number (SSN) misuse, though the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not usually assist in identification of theft victims, do contact the SSA on time, to report Social Security benefit fraud, employment fraud, or welfare fraud.
Once you are done with reporting, keep track of your credit reports. Try to make it regular. Make use of the law which helps to obtain free credit reports at the end of every 12 months. In case of any suspicious dealings, immediately call or mail the concerned creditor or bank and let them know about it. If you are lucky enough you may be able to trace the thief or in the least, resolve your problem. Once your identity theft dispute with a company has been resolved, get the company’s closure, on the disputed accounts, in black and white. This will come in handy in case the problems relating to this account resurfaces.
As the good old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. It is very important to make your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information, more personal. Once the identity thief catches hold of any of these details then you are sure to confront a tough battle against all the mess that he would make. So the next time you dispose your bills which has personal or financial information or fill up your personal information in unknown websites, think twice. It might as well be someone who is trying to steal information about you and use it to drain your financial savings and destroy your reputation.
Be exceptionally watchful over the internet. This is the medium where you can easily spill over personal information. If you feel that a particular website is not authorized, then make sure you do not enter any personal information in it. And do not open spam messages. You can help others from falling victim to this kind of fraud by spreading awareness among your family and friends.
