The advent of technology has simplified and complicated our lives at the same time. Perhaps you utilize your computer to pay bills, manage investments or shop. And, you probably use at least one credit card on a regular basis. These activities, and others, while certainly convenient, also put you at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
It's likely you've heard stories about people who discovered cash was missing from their bank account, or their credit card was used for fraudulent purchases … or their entire life savings disappeared. These tragedies happen all too often, but there are ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Putting Yourself at Risk
Maybe you think you're immune to having your identity stolen and suffering all the resultant financial consequences. Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people, especially when you consider the following common behaviors:
Handing credit cards to restaurant staff.
Signing credit cards.
Supplying personal information over the Internet.
Keeping Social Security numbers in wallets.
Leaving mail in unsecured places to be collected by postal carriers.
Throwing away mail containing personal information without first shredding it.
Some of those behaviors are easy to change (don't carry your Social Security number with you, for example), but others are “risks” you may not be able to, or wish to,circumvent. Credit card companies require you to sign your cards, for instance, and if you use a card at a restaurant, it's taken away from your table to process.
Feeling like you need radical changes in your life to protect your identity? No more charging restaurant meals or making Internet purchases? You don't necessarily have to do that. There are other ways to ensure your identity is protected.
Guarding Your Identity
The most important things to do to guard your identity are:
Regularly monitor your credit report. It's important to make sure your financial records are accurate.
Know your credit score and understand how it affects your ability to secure loans. Just learning your number is one thing; you also need to know how it was reached and what it means to your borrowing ability.
Continuously monitor your credit (every day). You need to learn about suspicious activity before your credit is ruined.
It is possible for you to handle these identity-guarding activities yourself, but you may want to consider signing up for programs that do it for you.
Restoring Your Identity
If you do become a victim of identity theft, it's critical to take steps to restore your identity as soon as possible. The activities you need to undertake include sending fraud alert notifications to all applicable agencies and institutions, and searching applicable local and national databases to ensure no other fraudulent information is floating around in your name.
Since those activities can be costly and time consuming, you may find peace of mind by enrolling in an identity-protection program that includes identity restoration among its services. Having an expert restore your name and credit will ensure it's done right, and it will save you time and money; the Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft victims spend countless hours and an average of $1,500 in the effort to clear their names.
To summarize, you can limit your chances of becoming an identity-theft victim and it's also possible to restore your identity if it is stolen. The best defense is a good offense, and programs do exist to assist you with prevention and restoration.
This article was provided by Robert Rosenthal, an independent associate of Pre-Paid Legal Services, which offers the Identity Theft Shield program. For more information, contact him at (858) 755-0061 or [email protected] or www.prepaidlega.com/hub/rosenthal
It's likely you've heard stories about people who discovered cash was missing from their bank account, or their credit card was used for fraudulent purchases … or their entire life savings disappeared. These tragedies happen all too often, but there are ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Putting Yourself at Risk
Maybe you think you're immune to having your identity stolen and suffering all the resultant financial consequences. Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people, especially when you consider the following common behaviors:
Handing credit cards to restaurant staff.
Signing credit cards.
Supplying personal information over the Internet.
Keeping Social Security numbers in wallets.
Leaving mail in unsecured places to be collected by postal carriers.
Throwing away mail containing personal information without first shredding it.
Some of those behaviors are easy to change (don't carry your Social Security number with you, for example), but others are “risks” you may not be able to, or wish to,circumvent. Credit card companies require you to sign your cards, for instance, and if you use a card at a restaurant, it's taken away from your table to process.
Feeling like you need radical changes in your life to protect your identity? No more charging restaurant meals or making Internet purchases? You don't necessarily have to do that. There are other ways to ensure your identity is protected.
Guarding Your Identity
The most important things to do to guard your identity are:
Regularly monitor your credit report. It's important to make sure your financial records are accurate.
Know your credit score and understand how it affects your ability to secure loans. Just learning your number is one thing; you also need to know how it was reached and what it means to your borrowing ability.
Continuously monitor your credit (every day). You need to learn about suspicious activity before your credit is ruined.
It is possible for you to handle these identity-guarding activities yourself, but you may want to consider signing up for programs that do it for you.
Restoring Your Identity
If you do become a victim of identity theft, it's critical to take steps to restore your identity as soon as possible. The activities you need to undertake include sending fraud alert notifications to all applicable agencies and institutions, and searching applicable local and national databases to ensure no other fraudulent information is floating around in your name.
Since those activities can be costly and time consuming, you may find peace of mind by enrolling in an identity-protection program that includes identity restoration among its services. Having an expert restore your name and credit will ensure it's done right, and it will save you time and money; the Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft victims spend countless hours and an average of $1,500 in the effort to clear their names.
To summarize, you can limit your chances of becoming an identity-theft victim and it's also possible to restore your identity if it is stolen. The best defense is a good offense, and programs do exist to assist you with prevention and restoration.
This article was provided by Robert Rosenthal, an independent associate of Pre-Paid Legal Services, which offers the Identity Theft Shield program. For more information, contact him at (858) 755-0061 or [email protected] or www.prepaidlega.com/hub/rosenthal