Identity Theft: It can happen to you!

The bad thing is that most consumers realize that there identity has been stolen after you have been victimized and the damage is heavy in violation.You will usually know when the creditors start calling or notifying you for your overdue bills you never incurred.Also when you apply for any loan or mortgage that problems will occur with your credit history which you will either be delayed or worse denied.Perhaps you may discover that when looking over your mail about certain things you have never purchased like a house ,car ,apartments that you never have rented or even a job that you never had and wire fired for.In brief,you will be stunned over expenditures you are liable for when you realize and by then it will be too late.

Unfortunately,there isn't much you can do about it and it will take a lengthy amount of time to clear your name.Good advice is that you file a police report giving specific details of the infraction.You will then be entitled to certain legal rights when it is provided to the big three credit reporting agencies(Experian , Equifax, and Transunion) or the companies where the thief misused your information.

An identity theft report can permanently stop fraudulent information as a result from identity thieves,such as addresses or accounts that appear on your credit reports.Also,an identity theft report can prevent a company to collect debts that do not appear on the credit report. It can also prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that results from identity thefts or selling them to others for collection. An identity theft report is also needed to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

Here is the best way to protect your most valuable asset -YOUR IDENTITY

Ten steps to prevent identity fraud

1). Watch your mail for missing statements
2). Carry the minimum account of credit cards with you.
3). Don't include your social security number on your drivers license
4). Destroy documents before discarding, preferably by shreading
5). Check your credit report regularly
6). Keep a record of credit and bank information in a safe place
7). Never disclose personal information over the phone or internet unless it is a trusted source
8). Balance your checkbook regularly and watch for skipped check numbers or unfamiliar
amounts
9). Stay alert and act immediately if you become suspicious
10).Guard against identity theft with weekly fraud watch emails from www. transunion.com

Consumers can get their free annual personal credit report online at

www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228

So protect yourself from identity theft because it CAN happen to you!

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