Identity Theft in the News
The Federal Trade Commission projects Identity Theft will be one of it's fastest growing crimes for the next several years.
For fairly obvious reasons, when the economy weakens and people are out of work crime rates across the board trend upwards. This economy by most estimates, will suffer the largest growth reduction in recent memory. In other words, becoming more vigilant when it come to your good name is a great idea.
Deter, Detect, and Defend. A great motto when it comes to keeping your identity safe from would be thieves, is also exceptionally effective.
The first step is to Deter the credit thief. Keeping your mail out of the trash without first being shredded, or destroyed. Individuals digging in your trash bins after you have placed them in the street, might not be recycling cans.
Keeping passwords of your bank information secret. I do not mean just when you are at the ATM either. I have visited friends who leave their checking information on a coffee table, or kitchen counter, and leave the room. Most Identity Theft victims KNOW the thief that stole from them. In many cases, they are related to them.
Detect, the thief by checking (for Free) your credit report at LEAST twice a year. This is so important when disputing the charges that have occurred. Imagine how difficult it becomes to fight charges that transpired 13 months ago. It does not have to be expensive to monitor your reports either, however there are services that are VERY expensive for what they do.
Defend your credit like it is the second most precious thing you have. I am assuming you value your life, so this ranks right below. Do this by setting up Security Alerts, and Fraud Alerts with all three bureaus, and keeping them valid.
The Federal Trade Commission in its 2006 Report stated that 74% of Identity Theft victims DID NOT REPORT the crime to Police. As crazy as that sounds. www.FTC.gov This information saddens, and dismays me. By not reporting the theft they allow the thief to strike again.
A growing number of Non-Account theft is occurring around disaster areas. These are thieves that apply for Federal monies in their victims name, or perhaps are applying for jobs under another identity. These actions can be devastating to the victim and extremely difficult to erase once the thief has had time to secure and create new information.
One of the best solutions I have found in my research for my book "When Bad Credit Happens To Good People" and the Credit Control Kit we just released, has been Life Lock.
I am not a paid spokesperson for the company, but if you know someone there... let them know about me.
For a very nominal fee they do the heavy lifting when it comes to securing your Identity, and credit information. As an added bonus your entire family is included in the package. (Children are at even greater risk for theft than their parents in some parts of the country).
LifeLock is less expensive than any other service of it's kind that I have found, and even they admit you could do what they do on your own much cheaper. (You are also welcome to cut your own hair, that would be cheaper too but not a good idea).
No matter HOW it gets done please take my advice and secure your credit today. Secure your children from people ruining their chance at a great education by stealing their information, and destroying their credit.
By the way, show me a receipt from Life Lock, and I will give you a coupon for 50% off the "Credit Control Kit" just because you took action.
We are now in High Definition on YOUTUBE!!!! Come check us out here.
God Bless,
Wayne Altman
www.givemegreatcredit.com
For fairly obvious reasons, when the economy weakens and people are out of work crime rates across the board trend upwards. This economy by most estimates, will suffer the largest growth reduction in recent memory. In other words, becoming more vigilant when it come to your good name is a great idea.
Deter, Detect, and Defend. A great motto when it comes to keeping your identity safe from would be thieves, is also exceptionally effective.
The first step is to Deter the credit thief. Keeping your mail out of the trash without first being shredded, or destroyed. Individuals digging in your trash bins after you have placed them in the street, might not be recycling cans.
Keeping passwords of your bank information secret. I do not mean just when you are at the ATM either. I have visited friends who leave their checking information on a coffee table, or kitchen counter, and leave the room. Most Identity Theft victims KNOW the thief that stole from them. In many cases, they are related to them.
Detect, the thief by checking (for Free) your credit report at LEAST twice a year. This is so important when disputing the charges that have occurred. Imagine how difficult it becomes to fight charges that transpired 13 months ago. It does not have to be expensive to monitor your reports either, however there are services that are VERY expensive for what they do.
Defend your credit like it is the second most precious thing you have. I am assuming you value your life, so this ranks right below. Do this by setting up Security Alerts, and Fraud Alerts with all three bureaus, and keeping them valid.
The Federal Trade Commission in its 2006 Report stated that 74% of Identity Theft victims DID NOT REPORT the crime to Police. As crazy as that sounds. www.FTC.gov This information saddens, and dismays me. By not reporting the theft they allow the thief to strike again.
A growing number of Non-Account theft is occurring around disaster areas. These are thieves that apply for Federal monies in their victims name, or perhaps are applying for jobs under another identity. These actions can be devastating to the victim and extremely difficult to erase once the thief has had time to secure and create new information.
One of the best solutions I have found in my research for my book "When Bad Credit Happens To Good People" and the Credit Control Kit we just released, has been Life Lock.
I am not a paid spokesperson for the company, but if you know someone there... let them know about me.
For a very nominal fee they do the heavy lifting when it comes to securing your Identity, and credit information. As an added bonus your entire family is included in the package. (Children are at even greater risk for theft than their parents in some parts of the country).
LifeLock is less expensive than any other service of it's kind that I have found, and even they admit you could do what they do on your own much cheaper. (You are also welcome to cut your own hair, that would be cheaper too but not a good idea).
No matter HOW it gets done please take my advice and secure your credit today. Secure your children from people ruining their chance at a great education by stealing their information, and destroying their credit.
By the way, show me a receipt from Life Lock, and I will give you a coupon for 50% off the "Credit Control Kit" just because you took action.
We are now in High Definition on YOUTUBE!!!! Come check us out here.
God Bless,
Wayne Altman
www.givemegreatcredit.com
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