Have you heard of these two words
–Identity Theft?
We now live in a world where we can no longer ignore Identity Theft. We must take precautions in my opinion each and every day to lessen our chances of becoming a victim. Let me say first and foremost that almost anyone can become a victim of Identity Theft. Almost every man, woman, and yes child is a potential target.
Even the deceased can be victimized. This blog will be about providing you some tools that hopefully can be utilized to lessen your risk, or to aid you in the event you are in the position of regaining your identity.
My Article Reprinted Below:
Don't Prejudge an Identity Thief
When you
think of an ID thief you might think of someone stealing mail from your mail
box, sneaking around an ATM, or perhaps lurking online seeking an opportunity
to steal your identity. But what if I told you that an ID thief could actually
be your housekeeper, a clerk, your neighbor, or anyone that has access to your
personal information or home?
There have been cases where babysitters have been
arrested for ID theft. The very person you trust may not be trustworthy. It's a
good idea not to prejudge. With ID theft being a major problem, it is a good
idea to safeguard your mail and personal information even in your home.
Keep
your mail and personal information away from shared areas where you receive
outside guest in your home. While your focus is on the outside of your home,
the ID thief could be sitting on your sofa lurking through your personal
information that's being displayed on your coffee table.
The elderly
and handicapped in my opinion are especially vulnerable. They are often relying
on the services of others that could predispose them to increased risk.
Sometimes it is a necessity to have various helpers coming in that have next to
no supervision.
It is my opinion, and I share this opinion with many, that some
type of ID protection bundled in with all the other services they depend upon
daily, has become a necessity. The elderly and handicapped, like the general
population, have to keep a clean identity so they can continue to qualify for
the various programs they may be utilizing.
Having a comprised identity could
be absolutely devastating to someone who couldn't qualify for a needed benefit
or service because of an identity theft situation. Having an ID theft policy is
like having insurance that will not necessarily prevent ID theft, but will
provide some peace of mind that someone is monitoring.
Identity protection
companies will help protect you against ID theft, and also help you recover
your good name should you become a victim. Children
are also becoming an increasing target for ID theft. The ID thief could be
someone here illegally seeking a social security number to obtain work.
Or it
could even be someone using a child's social security number to obtain a
drivers license after their own has been suspended. There are not many parents
that monitor their children's identity, and thieves take advantage of this.
There have been cases where young people were unable to secure college loans
because someone had compromised their identity. Having an experienced attorney
to help you restore your credit may also be necessary.
The benefit of
subscribing to an ID theft prevention service is definitely cheaper in a lot of
cases than becoming a victim of identity theft. Even though someone monitors
your credit report, it does not guarantee that you will never become a victim.
It does however give you some assurance that you have a tool in place to
minimize your exposure, because in today's world it has become a necessity to
monitor your credit.
This
article cannot be published without full author's details. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_McKnight
Part One Fight Identity Theft. Having Your Credit Monitored Is a Good Idea.
Despite Identity Theft being a growing problem, there is still individuals who are in total denial. They fail to do even the most basic things to lessen their risk. Some people have the false belief that you have to have a great deal of money to be of any interest to an identity thief. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Children have become a growing interest to identity thieves. Your identity in and of itself is valuable. Some don't realize that they have become a victim until they apply for a loan and realize then that someone has compromised their credit.
There are some things we can do to help protect ourselves. We have to be on the lookout for Identity Theft. Having a credit monitoring service is becoming a necessity in today's world. Credit has become a crucial determinant even in getting employment.
So credit in my opinion, and a lot of other peoples opinion is worth protecting. Thieves use technology to compromise, or steal your identity. It makes perfect sense to fight back with technology. Having a credit monitoring service can help.
Identity Theft Monitoring
ID Theft Tips
Basic Helpful Lifestyle Changes To Protect Your Identity
- It's my opinion that you must realize that what is trash to you could be treasure to someone who is trying to steal your identity.
- Don't leave your mail in your box overnight.
- Don't leave credit card receipts behind.
- Tear up in small pieces, or better yet shred those credit card applications and other pertinent information you receive in the mail.
- Guard your social.
Guard Your Keys
A key is a very underutilized security tool. Taking the time to use the lock can make a big difference. Years ago a friend of mine misplaced her keys in her home after she entertained a house full of guest.
After
a couple of days her keys suddenly appeared. I thought it was a good
idea for her to change her locks. There have been cases where people
will make duplicates of your keys. You never know. Guard your keys
too.
Child Identity Theft
Never Too Young To Have Your Identity Stolen
A lot of young people don't know they have been a victim of ID theft until they are adults themselves in the process of using their own ID. In today's world your have got to be on top of protecting your child's ID too.
You have to be so careful nowadays at the grocery store. People can be so crafty. Some are just looking for and opportunity. The days have long pasted in my opinion when you can comfortably place your purse in front of you in the shopping cart.
A lady was grocery shopping with her purse in the front little area of the shopping, and changed her position when she got to the counter to take out her groceries to be checked out. When she was ready to pay she looked back in the front area of the shopping cart and discovered her purse missing. I think it's a good idea to keep your purse on your person.
FICA Credit Score
Do You Know Your Credit Score?
A credit score and credit report is not the same. A credit score is a numerical measurement of your credit worthiness. A credit score will rank you with the lending institution's requirements as to who they will lend to and at what interest rate.
On the other hand a credit report gives the details of who you have credit with and how well you are paying your bills with them. It will also tell whether you've been a victim of identity theft. It's a good idea to check your credit report at least once a year.
Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide. Identity theft protection starts with you. You need to actively deter, detect, and defend your identity and credit.
With a healthy credit score as a result of responsible past credit behavior you'll often receive lower interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and even better rates on homeowners and auto insurance. A good credit score will help you qualify for loans and get lower interest rates.
With a healthy credit score as a result of responsible past credit behavior you'll often receive lower interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and even better rates on homeowners and auto insurance. A good credit score will help you qualify for loans and get lower interest rates.
A low credit score today doesn't have to be permanent. Whether you are looking for information on credit reports
or information on how to protect yourself from identity theft,
TransUnion can help.
Knowing your credit score and how you compare with other consumers is vital. To receive your free credit score click on the TransUnion image above.
Knowing your credit score and how you compare with other consumers is vital. To receive your free credit score click on the TransUnion image above.
Part Two Misc.
Find Legal Forms
Legal Forms & Contracts
Find Legal Forms
Legal Forms & Contracts
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Part Three Medical Identity Theft
Have You Heard About Medical Identity Theft?
Have you heard about medical ID theft? Medical ID theft is a relatively new kid on the block that is on the rise. Identity thieves can use your identity to get medical treatment for themselves or their dependents.
They can even get prescription drugs. They pretend to be you in order to receive medical care using your identity. I was reading in the paper a while back about someone who had a medical emergency and went in to receive care. After he presented his insurance card, he was informed that he was without coverage.
He was told that his insurance benefit had been exhausted. It turned out that someone with a serious illness had used up his policy limit. Another twist to medical ID theft is that is possible for someone else's medical information to be mistaken for yours.
We live in a world where we need to pay attention. Identity theft cannot be ignored. For example, you can suspect you are a victim of medical ID theft if you are denied insurance because your medical record includes documentation that shows a condition you don't have.
Another example could be that you get a bill for medical services that you did not receive. Checking your credit report can be a tool that identifies possible unauthorized usage of your medical insurance. You can purchase ID theft protection to lessen your risk, however it's my opinion that no plan is 100%. Even so, an ID theft plan can be a smart move.
One of the major benefits I see in having an ID theft policy is that if your identity is compromised you have a benefit in place to assist you. It is a very complicated process of trying to repair your identity without knowledgeable help.
Part Four
Computer Security Products
Protect Yourself On The Internet
Don't browse the Internet without having a good virus protection program with internet firewall protection. There are many computer hackers out there looking for someone to prey on and steel or corrupt you data that is stored on your computer.
We have burglar bars, and security alarm systems on our homes. Get the protection you need to protect your precious computer data. AVG is what I use. So far I am very happy with the software. To learn more click on images below.
Help Protect Your Online Information
A computer can almost become a necessity, being just as important as having a telephone. Like any useful tool, our online information is worth protecting. While there are no guarantees, having online protection keeps us from being 100% exposed. In today's world it's a must to be proactive in protecting your online information.Computer Protection Is A Today's Necessity
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McAfee® SiteAdvisor® software helps you know about a website's risks before you click to stop malware threats. Advanced phishing protection alerts you to websites that may try to steal your identity or gain access to your financial information.
