Charles H Johnson Jr asked:


In my previous article, I gave you the first 5 tips to help prevent from being a victim. Did you apply any of those tips to your life? I hope you have taken action to complete all of them. You will gain peace of mind.

 

Here are the next 5 tips:



Rethink check writing: That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers. On top of that, there’s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules). Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying. You want to avoid becoming an identity theft victim. If you do become one, there is help for identity theft victims. Services that provide identity theft insurance coverage can help save you time and money restoring your identity. Read about it here.

Cover-up your vehicle identification number (VIN): People have been known to get the VIN from atop of the vehicle’s dash board. They would use the VIN to order new vehicle keys and later steal the vehicle using the new keys. Criminal acts can then be completed using the stolen vehicle, yet the true owner gets the blame for the crime.

Managing credit freeze to avoid identity theft gets easier: You can put a freeze on your credit reports which is called the credit freeze or also known as the security freeze. When you place a freeze on your credit reports, credit card issuers, lenders and others can’t check your credit history. Without that information, they won’t issue credit. And that also means criminals can’t set up new accounts in your name. This service is great identity theft protection.

Secure your mail: Your mailbox is a goldmine of information. Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name. Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key. The other solution is to have a rented mailbox. To foil “dumpster-diving” thieves, buy a shredder and destroy documents before discarding. Take action on this tip and add to it identity theft insurance coverage, IDT Insurance.

Create an emergency identity kit: Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency? Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. While you’re at it, make copies of your driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. Quick action on this tip can be a great protection from identity theft.



 

Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe’s if we can’t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us. For some of us, that is a good reason why we carry our social security numbers in our wallets or purses. But, we don’t think about having identity theft coverage.

 

 

Even after you observe all of these tips for identity theft prevention, you may still become a victim. What can you do as a victim of the identity theft crime? To find the answer this question, Click here.

 



Linda

Lucas Heijn asked:


“One significant thing that I can be proud about myself is none other than my identity. I was born unique from all other people. I was given name by my proud parents, I struggle hard for my bank accounts, I’ll be expecting a lot of benefits with my $$$ when I arrive at my retirement age.

So, what do you think my life be like if someone steals all of my wealth, my identity? I will feel so disgusted. Identity theft is my greatest fear.”

“I do not want to grow old and have nothing left for me. Let us all join together in fighting against identity theft because the thieves do not deserve a place in our society!”

Did you hear the statement? US citizens demand the security of their identity. The main reason behind is the continuous existence of identity theft.

This crime is a grave threat to the personal information and property of the citizens. They want all possible actions to combat this crime.

As much as possible, you should take every precaution to protect your identity. Once you have settled your identity, you can ensure that you will be out of risk from the identity thieves.

If only there was a way to trace the origin or the person who discovered the tricks of identity fraud, the entire population would surely condemn that person because of the suffering it has brought them.

From an individual to a group of persons who promoted identity theft, the idea was later handed to other people.

Starting on that point, identity theft fraud spread out. Until now, the Bureau of Investigation finds it quite a difficult problem to eradicate.

The thieves use several unpredictable strategies to operate this crime. This makes it hard for the investigators to identify the thieves.

Aside from personal business transactions, identity theft fraud is also flourishing on the web. You need to be meticulous about the websites that are usually selling highly demand items.

Most of the items such as the iPods and the high-tech cellular phones are sold at minimal prices. Sometimes, the site also bargains the product for almost free to the subscribers.

What kind of operation does the identity theft fraud carry on over the Web? Be careful and read the page properly so that you will not be the next victim of the fraud.

Oftentimes, majority of the previous victims are advised to pay nothing until they receive the item that they are going to purchase.

Then, the person who is behind the scam will use the name of the victim and an account number of another person to pay for the original price of the item to the legitimate website.

In other words, the moment that the customer pays for the item, the money will directly go to scammer. The scammer can now present to you a valid receipt coming from the legitimate website who receives the actual payment from the account of another person.

On the other hand, there is also identity theft fraud that occurs using your e-mail. Listen, this is being addressed to those end-users who dedicate much of their time in surfing the Net.

Somebody who claims to be from your credit company can send you a message in various forms. The scammer will ask to give all the personal data regarding your account as they site you different reasons.

One reason they may give is they need the information about your account because their database may crash anytime. The scammer can also reason out that you need to do this to protect your account.

After you are convinced to give all your personal information, the scammer now has the power to do you some great damage. He can use this information for fraudulent transactions. He can also make withdrawals from your account with your seeming consent.

See. This is how identity theft fraud works. It can bring you so many problems, even more than what you think.



Dan

Randy Vezina asked:


 

When a child is born, a parent may apply for a Social Security number for that child.  A child’s Social Security number is very much sought after by identity thieves.  The child identity thief could be a family member (uncle, aunt cousin), another adult who has access and is allowed in your home, someone who has stolen your mail or hacked into your computer.  We think we know who the child identity thief could be, but we don’t.

Most parents apply for the baby’s SSN so that they can claim the child on their taxes and you must submit the SSN on the official tax forms, so now, anybody who has the means to see that tax form can copy the child’s information.  The child’s identity could be stolen at the hospital or at a health professionals’ office.  What about the dishonest legal professional who sells the child’s identity to an unscrupulous client.  It does not matter what profession a person is in, they have the potential to be dishonest.

The thief could be anybody.  Typically, your not going to check your child’s credit rating (why would you), so your not going to know their identity has been stolen.  Now the identity thief has more than a decade to create a new identity for him and gain credit cards, loans, cell phones, utilities, bank accounts, drivers license etc. etc.  The crime is not discovered until your child has grown and applies for her first education loan, apartment, credit card or job!  By now, the trail has become ice cold and your child’s credit record has been cut to ribbons.  In all likelihood all of the accounts opened in her name have been purchased by a collection agency.

It would be very difficult for your child to repair what has happened because of the difficulty in tracking down the original loan applications and transaction records if the original account has been through several hands because of companies merging and being bought-up.  Our children need to be taught about the dangers of providing their personal information and your personal information when they are logged onto the net.  Today’s kids have a burning desire to log into the many chat rooms and social networking sites and they may be asked for personal information on a registration screen or by an identity thief.

The preventative identity theft company, LifeLock, has already launched the first-of-its-kind Children’s ID Theft Prevention Program.  Now, LifeLock’s subscribers can add the children’s ID theft program to their existing full suite of ID theft preventative services.  The children’s theft prevention program is for minors 16 years and younger.  A recent study in the state of Utah revealed that 1,800 Social Security numbers assigned to children 12 years of age and younger had been forged, according to the state’s Identity Theft Task Force.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advised that between 5% and 7% of identity theft victims are under the age of 18 and if you include college-aged individuals, it is almost 20%.

“Due to the extreme increase in ID theft among minors, we have taken the initiative to develop a first-of-its-kind program to protect children,” said Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock.  Tracking credit bureau activity and monitoring depository accounts are considered standard when dealing with identity theft.  But Davis insists that working with the Social Security Administration and identifying work activity from unusually young minors is a red flag that warrants further investigation. “LifeLock is in the process of working with local and federal agencies, as well as leaders in Washington D.C. to lead the efforts in protecting our children from identity theft. This is a critical aspect of our overall service,” continued Davis. “As the Utah investigation demonstrated, sadly, there are numerous victims yet to be discovered.”  LifeLock subscribers can pay $10 per year for the Children’s ID Theft Prevention Program through which LifeLock will regularly audit the credit bureau, monitor depository banking accounts, and track any unusual “work activity” with the Social Security Administration on behalf of LifeLock’s youth customers. All minors enrolled in the program will also benefit by LifeLock’s standard $1 million guarantee.

 

Do you want to learn about Identity Theft Prevention &

Paul

justin narin asked:


Insurers have added coverage for identity theft to their offerings in addition to the traditional life, health, pet, travel, and automobile coverage. The yearly costs attributed to crimes involving identity theft are staggering. While services are available to help you keep track of your personal information, they come at a price and may not be worthwhile.

Citi Credit Monitoring Service may be of value, since it is available online, its web site is secure, and the firm guarantees your privacy will be protected. This site lets you review your credit accounts and files on a regular basis in a relatively inexpensive manner. Other companies offer coverage for identity theft and include software that helps to track identity theft activities and offers help if you become a victim of this crime. The software also provides your FICO and additional monitoring options.

If you become a victim of identity theft, you may also become a victim of the court system. While millions of people suffer from identity theft, few go to court to fight for the restoration of their identity. The court process can take a very long time, and since identity thieves generally establish credit and bank accounts in your name, you may be the one on the hook for prosecution from creditors and the courts.

Many people believe that victims of identity theft have done something to expose themselves to this crime and that; therefore, it is their own fault. This is not the case. Cases of identity theft increase every year, and millions of people are affected. Doctors, lawyers, politicians, judges, and other educated people often become the victims of identity theft. The criminals themselves are often highly educated, working in respected careers in order to gain access to information they can steal. The poor are often made scapegoats for the crime, while the real criminals go unpunished.

It can be to your advantage to obtain identity theft insurance. You never know who the thief might be or when a theft may arise. The insurance coverage usually costs just a few dollars per month. You may also purchase the identity-theft software for a one-time fee. IN some states, laws have been enacted to prohibit the publication of personal identifying information. However, with so much information online, the Internet is fertile ground for ‘hackers’ who gain access to databases containing personal data on millions of people. Therefore, you should take any and all precautions you can to protect yourself from identity theft.

For more articles and suggestions, visit http://www.bills.com/identity-theft-insurance-articlebills/



Duane

M-n-M asked:


A identity theft product that not only finds out who stole your id, But helps you restore it

Jessie