Protection From Identity Theft - Do You Suspect Someone Is Using Your Information?
Identity theft is a serious crime that claims as many as 9 million American victims a year. It is a serious crime that is getting worse as Internet usage rises. With so many people and companies placing personal information onto computers, criminals are getting their hands on it and using it for malicious purposes. In order to keep your personal and financial information safe from unwanted eyes, you should guard it as best you can. Protection from identity theft is very important.
Don't let other people use your credit or debit cards. Prior to throwing away important documents that have your personal or financial information on it, shred it. Don't let people stand close to you or look over your shoulder when at an ATM machine. And do not use passwords that can be guessed easily, like your birth date or your child's name. One of the best things you can do in terms of protection from identity theft is to obtain protection services, which can usually be purchased online. For a small fee, a company can monitor your financial activity and report anything suspicious. This way, if something doesn't look right, you will be able to catch it immediately, potentially saving you a lifetime of trouble and money loss.
If you feel that your personal information has been compromised, the first thing that you should do is to place a Fraud Alert on your credit reports. This should prevent additional fraudulent activity from taking place on your credit cards. Creditors that see this flag will follow certain guidelines and procedures before any new accounts can be opened or any changes to your existing accounts can occur. Notify Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax so you will have addition protection from identity theft by flagging your account with a Fraud Alert.
For additional protection from identity theft, you'll want to file a police report so that you will have proof of the crime and law enforcement officials will be able t help you correct your credit. You should also report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission to help law enforcement officials across America. And finally, contact the fraud or security departments of each company in which your information was used illegally. Follow up with a written letter with copies of supporting documentation, ask for verification that the account has been dealt with and the fraudulent debt has been rectified. You should keep copies of all documents and phone calls for your records.
About the Author:
Marc Berry is an expert at providing valuable information regarding Credit And Identity Protection. Visit http://www.SecureMyCreditScore.com today!
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