Archive for January, 2008
Posted by admin on
January 26, 2008
“I worry about protecting myself from identity theft just as much as other people. For a long time, the horror stories were not real to me. I would occasionally hear about how someone’s identity was stolen and how this ruined their credit by charging thousands of dollars in their name. It became real for me when someone stole my brother’s identity. Luckily, he caught on quickly because he happened to check his credit report just a few weeks after it happened.”
“I started wondering, though, if I would be that lucky if someone stole my identity. Instead of relying on luck, I decided to see if there was a way for me to protect myself. I already shred my old documents and keep my passwords secret, but how much protection does that really offer you against identity thieves that know a lot more about technology than I do? My brother, after all, had done all of the things that most consumers do to protect himself from identity theft, but someone was still able to get enough information about him to create a credit card account in his name.”
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Posted by admin on
January 14, 2008
What would you do if you suddenly found that someone else was using your social security number to secure a credit card? Millions of Americans every year must make that decision. Linda Foley, an employee for a magazine in San Diego, received a phone call one day from Citibank, asking her to confirm her new address. As she had not moved to a new address, Foley was shocked to find that her boss had utilized the personal information and social security number on her employment application to obtain several credit cards and a cell phone in Foley’s name. To this day, nearly one decade later, Foley still is being plagued as a victim of identity theft, with her former boss having the opportunity to strike at any time.
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Posted by admin on
January 9, 2008
Identity credit theft is a rapidly growing crime in the United States. Every year, the number of people that experience identity theft increases. In fact, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of cases of identity theft in 2006 was more than four times historical highs.
Strategy #1: Protect yourself from the risks of “pre-approved” offers
Many consumers are unaware of the lurking dangers surrounding identity theft. In fact, your personal information may frequently be sold to other companies – by the very credit bureaus that track your loans and payment history! If you receive “pre-approved” credit cards in the mail, then your identity and credit information are being sold to third parties. All an identity thief has to do is find one of these “pre-approved” credit cards in your mailbox or trash cans – and instantly assume your identity and financial wherewithal.
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