Identity Theft - Resources for Victims

Identity theft could happen to anyone. These are resources that will help you once you have become the victim of identity theft.

Identity theft could happen to anyone. Someone gets hold of important information, such as your name, credit card information and social security number and uses this to make online purchases or apply for additional credit cards. The source of the information could be a "phishing" e-mail you replied to, stolen mail or one of many other ways.

At first you are probably going to be stunned when you receive that call from a credit rating company or collection agency, but you have to get over your shock and act quickly.

Step number one should be to contact your local police department and report the identity theft. At this point you should ask whether the police department has an information package or website with information on how to deal with identity theft.

If that is not the case, you can use some of the following resources to help you in the arduous process of clearing your good name and credit:

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

This FTP website offers substantial resources, including a downloadable booklet in PDF format.

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Resources by the Department of Justice

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/index.shtml

Identity Theft Resource Center (includes P?ginas en Espa?ol)

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm

Social Security Administration website that allows you to report misues of your social security number

http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

Privacy Right Clearinghouse website with numerous links to other resources.

None of this will make the process easier or less painful, but at least now you have some tools to work with.

Pamela Bruce lives in Austin, TX. She is the owner of Love Beads Unlimited and sells the sterling silver and Swarovski crystal bead jewelry she designs and creates both in her eBay store (http://stores.ebay.com/LOVE-BEADS-UNLIMITED) and on her website at http://www.lovebeadsunlimited.com, where you can also download the free e-book "A Consumer's Guide to Buying Bead Jewelry Online".

Easy Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

It's no surprise that thousands of Americans are victimized by identity theft each year. What are we actually doing to protect ourselves from identity theft?

Many of us don't think about it and some may not even know what it is. The fact is it happens. Identity thieves victimize thousands of people each day. Causing havoc and destruction to all it seeks.

Last year over 9,000,000 people suffered devastation caused by identity theft; averaging over 45 billion dollars yearly.

As modern technology advance and become more sophisticated; identity thieves advance and become more sophisticated. By taking advantage of expensive, yet adequate technologies and software, these introducers are able to become undetectable.

By the time the average person realizes they have become a victim of identity theft; it is too late. By this point, the victim financial stability and credit ranking may be impacted significantly.

The truth is that the number of victims is growing everyday and there is no absolute solution; however, there are simple steps that can be taken to limit your chances of becoming a victim.

* The most important step in guarding yourself from identity theft is to keep your confidential information confidential. Social Security Numbers, Credit Card Numbers, Bank Account Information or any other confidential information should never be given to unknown companies or unidentified individuals.

Never tell anyone your personal information over the phone or send it through email, nor fax. Most legitimate companies will not request this information from you via phone or any other unprotected source.

If you are an online consumer, always make sure that you have a secure connection with the online eCommerce site, before submitting your credit card information and other identifiable information. Irresponsible credit card usage is the most common way to fall victim of identity theft.

* Monitoring your credit report monthly is a great step in stopping introducers in their tracks. By keeping close tabs on your credit activity you may be able to prevent major damages to your credit and financial wealth.

* Important documents containing your confidential information should be kept in safe, unexposed places. Even in the privacy of your own home, documents with such content should not be exposed. You may opt to use P.O. Box or Private Mail Boxes to send private documents.

By following these steps you can lower your risk of becoming an identity theft victim. Being informed is the most valuable protection against identity theft.

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