| of all ages and status can be a victim of identity | | | | Not give out give personal data to just about |
| theft. Since you are not an exception, you just | | | | anyone or anywhere. Do not give out your |
| have to educate yourself to be able to spot | | | | information over the phone or on the Internet. |
| identity theft when you see it coming... | | | | Check your statements. Identity thieves get |
| How can you do this? | | | | away with their crime because most people do |
| 1. Identifying identity theft. | | | | not check their credit or bank statements |
| The most common scenario is that victims are | | | | regularly. Be sure that you know your past |
| not aware that they are victimized unless they | | | | statements too so you can compare them with |
| are given notices of unpaid bills and purchase | | | | the new ones. |
| charges. Whenever someone is put into this kind | | | | Not take everything with you. Carrying cards, |
| of situation, there is always a tendency to be | | | | passport or social security card in your wallet is |
| mentally and emotionally affected. | | | | very dangerous. It is also not advisable to throw |
| You have to double and even triple your | | | | receipts anywhere. |
| precautions when you know that you are among | | | | Have a secure mailbox. Do not make it a habit to |
| those persons that have a good credit history. | | | | leave mails in your mailbox. It is best if you have |
| Identity thieves are always on the lookout for | | | | your own postal service mailbox. That way, your |
| persons having your kind of credit status. This | | | | mails will not fall into the wrong hands. |
| makes their actions quicker. Also, they know that | | | | Tear up or shred anything that has your personal |
| they can do more damage to you if your credit is | | | | data in it. This is especially important if you plan on |
| good. | | | | throwing away these things. Make sure that the |
| These thieves can take complete control over | | | | information is not anymore visible once you |
| your existing credit. Not only that, they can only | | | | decide to dispose of them. |
| open new ones put under your name. That does | | | | 3. Ask for assistance. |
| not stop there. Your personal information can | | | | It can be noted that 60% of the identity theft |
| even be used to write counterfeit checks, take | | | | victims surveyed did not inform the police. But |
| and transfer money and achieve employment. | | | | some were able to contact the police and was |
| Using the conventional method of going over your | | | | able to find out what happened. |
| thrash or by using someone in your workplace, | | | | If you are certain that you have become an |
| these thieves can get hold of bank statement, | | | | identity theft victim, do not think twice. Report |
| credit card accounts and other vital information. | | | | immediately to the proper authorities. Request a |
| You will know that you are a victim when you | | | | copy of your credit report agency and dispute |
| find yourself denied credit or even employment. | | | | anything you think is fraudulent. |
| You will also know this when you get calls or | | | | Make sure you inform your creditors if your |
| letters saying that you have been approved or | | | | credit cards were stolen, as well as your bank |
| denied credit for which you never applied or billings | | | | checks. Ask for new credit cards, and close any |
| on purchases you never made or unusual credit | | | | existing bank accounts and open new ones. If |
| card or utility bills. | | | | your debit card gets stolen, get a new one and |
| Start being suspicious also if you notice that you | | | | use a different password. |
| are not receiving credit or bank statements and | | | | Be cautious when establishing new credit with a |
| other kinds of mailings that you usually get | | | | different Social Security number. Having two |
| regularly. All these things can only mean that you | | | | might lead to confusion when trying to repair your |
| are the newest addition the number of identity | | | | credit report. |
| theft victims. | | | | Preventing yourself from being an identity theft is |
| 2. Taking countermeasures. | | | | within your capabilities. Follow the information on |
| If you do not want to be one of the victims, you | | | | identity theft protection mentioned above and |
| need to know what actions you should take to | | | | you will be able to fight the battle and come out |
| prevent this from happening. | | | | successful. |
| You should: | | | | |