If you have ever received a call from a collection agent claiming you owe money for a loan you don’t recall applying for, you very well could be a victim of identity fraud. All someone needs is your name, social security number, date of birth and account numbers to ruin you financially.
This information is easier to obtain that you think, and before you realize it, you are a victim of identity fraud.
There are several common ways identity fraud is carried out. Online identity theft, considered to be the most popular form of identify fraud, is only one. Another method has been nicknamed “dumpster diving,” which involves stealing mail by rummaging through someone’s garbage for identifying documents.
These often include discarded receipts and paid bills, which all have identifying information on them that thieves find useful. One method used to fight identity theft is quite simple and effective: Consumers can reduce the risk of becoming the victims of identity fraud by buying and using a paper shredder. That way, no information of potential importance leaves the house intact.
Have you ever received an email from some stranger overseas claiming that you have inherited millions of dollars but have to send them […]
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You may ask yourself, “Why do I need identity theft protection?” If you’ve ever thrown away a receipt, lost a credit card, or received a questionable email asking for personal information, you are making yourself a victim of fraud, and a great candidate for identity theft protection.
How many promotional statements have you tossed that may have your mailing address and full name indicated right on them? Identity theft often doesn’t require much to leave you in a financial mess.
The question becomes, “What can the average person do to ensure that personal information is kept personal, and to guard against possible theft?” Here is a list of suggestions that will help you get the best possible identity theft protection.
Look at your credit reports. These reports contain the kind of information an identity thief is interested in, and the statistics that you should have a good understanding of, in terms of theft protection. The report shows what accounts you have and how you pay your bills.
The law allows you to obtain a free version of this report at least once a year. If an identity thief is operating with your information, this report will show it in […]
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Identity theft prevention has become more important than ever, with the whole world connecting through the internet like never before. The new convenience of online transactions taking place in the blink of an eye has lured people away from bank lineups to check their accounts or pay their bills. Before you log-on to pay your bills, you should consider a few things about identity theft prevention.
It becomes important for consumers to know the principles of identity fraud prevention, since the concept is tied so closely with theft prevention. The two ideas really go hand in hand.
So the question becomes: How much personal information can the average person find about him or herself online that can be damaging if it fell into the wrong hands?
When considering theft prevention and the personal information readily available via the internet, it may surprise some people to know that even the most essential statistics quickly arrive at a criminal’s fingertips.
For example, sites like Anybirday give out, you guessed it, anyone’s birthday. A birth date is a critical piece of information for people concerned with identity fraud prevention, since most thieves are looking for just this type of personal information to commit identity theft.
Other […]
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