Cyber Identity Theft and How to Prevent It
Cyber Identity theft has become a major problem in today’s electronic cash and Internet shopping world. It seems that whenever banking and online security advances to keep out the baddies they go and improve the types and variety of their hustles. Sometimes however it is not the breaching of electronic security but the complacency and misplaced faith of the individual that allows these transgressors to get away with your money.
While the loss of the initial money removed from your bank accounts or credit cards is enough of a shock what is often worse is the proceeding problems that you may face long after the actual crime. Things such as your credit history will have a record of unpaid bills or bad credit associated with the theft that can be far harder to overcome and create ongoing problems and stress.
The best way to combat identity theft is prevention. By being alert regarding transactions made on your credit cards or bank accounts, and taking action quickly you can limit your losses if you notice any fraudulent transactions. If you do notice any questionable transactions on your accounts then there are a few steps to take to limit your losses.
Notify your bank or credit card company’s fraudulent claims department immediately that there are debatable transactions on your account. You may be liable for the cost of fraudulent transactions on your account until the time you notify your bank so vigilance is the key, however many credit cards have a $50 maximum liability.
If necessary close your accounts and open new ones with completely new passwords etc. Request that the accounts be closed via phone initially and then in person to ensure that your request has been acted upon.
Contact the main credit reference agencies (such as Equifax, Transunion and Experian) and place a fraud alert on your file. This will help to prevent further fraud by the criminals who have your information.
Report the fraud to the authorities who will issue you with a crime number. This number is required to make any claims against insurance etc.
Advise the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and report the details of the fraud. This helps the police to keep up with any new methods being used by criminals to commit ID theft and thus helps to stamp it out.
Apart from the steps to take if you are a victim of ID theft there are some simple measures to take to help prevent it in the first place. Simple things such as never carrying your PIN number in your wallet or purse with the card are too often forgotten giving criminals easy access to your cash should you lose your wallet. Never respond to emails that require you to log into your bank account from a link within the email that appears to be from your bank. This kind of account password harvesting is known as Phishing and catches more people that it should by gaining access to their account details and then clearing the account of all funds before the owner knows it.
Cyber Identity theft and other types of fraud are all too common and will always be a danger to the electronic banking system we have today. Unfortunately that danger is the price we pay for convenience and access to our credit. Despite these risks however if you remain vigilant and take some common sense measures to protect yourself from this type of fraud you can limit your losses and sometimes escape relatively unscathed.
CREDIT REPAIR FACTS: info from the Credit Secrets Bible
http://www.CreditRepairPublishing.com
info from the Credit Secrets Bible
CREDIT REPAIR FACTS and FALLACIES: 6 Ways to Separate Fact From Fiction!
Credit bureaus like experian, equifax and trans union are not government agencies. They are privately held for profit companies….
So many consumers freak out about their credit report and the credit bureaus. It’s the like the credit boogeyman is chasing them in a bad credit dream (or credit nightmare).
So much information is conflicting it’s easy to get confused. Most banks and credit bureaus like trans union, equifax and experian would love you to believe that the only thing that can repair your credit report is time.
Laughs….
How about all the errors and inaccurate information? Can that only improve or heal over time as well?
let’s face it. You’re worth more to the credit bureaus and banks with bad credit then good. You’re worth more with a low credit score than a high credit score. So, is it any surprise the system is slanted and almost all the errors are in the favor of the banks and credit bureaus like experian, equifax and trans union?
Hmmmm….
Can 100% accurate information be removed from your credit reports? Actually, contrary to popular belief, it can. Nothing prohibits a credit furnisher of information (FOI) from removing accurate information from a credit report.
Even if it is negative or derogatory. Remember, credit bureaus are really in the business of selling information.
It just happens to be that negative information is more profitable than positive (wait a minute. That sounds like the news). Anyway…
Even if you’re a “good citizen” you have to understand that each bureau has it’s own sources and methods for calculating your credit score. It does not all come down to a company called Fair Isaac, FICO or www.myfico.com in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Different credit bureaus generate different consumer credit scores. Sorry. We don’t make the rules. We just help you learn how to play the game better.
And no matter what anyone says, credit repair is not INSTANT and guaranteed (even if Johnny Cochrane comes back from the dead and becomes your personal credit attorney).
The credit system is really unpredictable and part of the process is a random roll of the dice. In the end, it is persistence and experience that makes the difference.
A good credit restoration company will do a better job that you ever could on your own but it will not happen for $49 a month. To do it right it will cost much more.
Credit restoration can be done on your own and every situation is different. Whether you choose to do it on your own or hire a company that fact is that it is better to do something than nothing.
Unfortunately, most people are doing nothing (at least right now anyway). Don’t make this mistake. The time to invest in your credit is NOT when you need it, but 1 to 2 years BEFORE you need it.
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Duration : 0:9:59
Identity Theft & Credit Card Fraud Protection
http://www.Personal-Safenet.info/identity-theft
Problem: Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud. No one is immuned. Sign Up For Comprehensive 7/24/365 A Year Protection Today!
Duration : 0:1:7
Deter – Detect – Defend Against Identity Theft
In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, change service providers for your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these everyday transactions a second thought. But an identity thief does.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration are among the feelings victims experience as they navigate the process of rescuing their identity.
Working with other government agencies and organizations, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has produced this booklet to help you remedy the effects of an identity theft. It describes what steps to take, your legal rights, how to handle specific problems you may encounter on the way to clearing your name, and what to watch for in the future.
Duration : 0:9:59
Identity Theft Prevention | Credit Reports & Fraud Alerts
From the U.S. Treasury Dept. Explains how to obtain free credit reports from the credit bureaus. Also explains how Fraud Alerts work and how to activate them.
credit report online, free online credit report, credit free report score,
3 in 1 credit report, transunion credit report, creditreport.com,
credit report personal, national credit report, cic triple advantage credit report,
free annual government credit report
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and
ruin your good name.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
■ Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
■ Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
■ Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you
know who you are dealing with.
■ Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails;
instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls,
anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect
your home computer; keep them up-to-date.
Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
■ Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date,
your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits
of your Social Security number.
■ Keep your personal information in a secure place
at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
■ Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors
to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
-FTC.gov
Duration : 0:2:7