Victimized by Identity Theft

When a person is victimized by identity theft the person becomes a lifetime victim, simply put because regardless of how many times the law tells you they are working to resolve the problem, they are lying. As a victim of identity theft when I reported the second offense against me, the police ask few questions and gave me a report number with no other action behind it. I contacted the Federal Trade Commissions, reported the crime, and have heard nothing and to date (since 2000) the perpetrator is still active.

Once I contacted the credit bureaus they did nothing to remove the charges against me, rather they merely placed a resolved or other related comment behind the debt. Other people have suffered far more severe attacks on their life, including summoned to court for debts they never could have made. The people lived in one area of the world, while the perpetrator was acting in another area. It is pathetic that we as the victims must suffer the loss of our lives while few are taking the stand to stop the crimes.

In most instances of identity, theft if a company is not involved and reports the crime a single individual's will fall into the large group of people in society without receiving help from anyone. Often victims' of identity theft are denied credit and find it difficult to survive once the credit reports are affected. Some states permit freezing of the credit reports, which should be permitted in all states, since it denies anyone the right to review the credit reports, except the person that has the right ownership. Most states allow Fraud Alerts up to three months and sometimes permanently, however this only makes the victim look bad since nothing is removed from the reports.

Thus, identity theft is ongoing and it is up to us to protect our self from theft. It is difficult since technology advancements have proven to make it easier for thieves to gain access to nearly anyone's identity. The government has high-tech developments that protect their databases; however, identity thefts have proven that even this level of technology will not stop them.

New credit cards are developed that have chips in them that is supposedly sophisticated enough to prevent or slow theft, however thieves are far more advanced in most instances and accepts the challenge going above and beyond the chips. The World Wide Web is the single more convenient area where identity thieves frequent and often they use programs designed that are suppose to ward off hackers, crackers, spies and other harmful critters, however, the development has only made it convenient for the thieves to get in the doors to thousands of computers. Again, in 2004, more than eleven million people alone became victims of identity theft, and the majority of crimes committed were done abroad the Internet.

Some cases of identity theft report turned out to be neighbors, friends, and even family members. One case reported came from England when a couple moved to the states and when they left they learned that their identity was robbed of them, which led them to pain and suffering for years. The couple unfortunately received little if any help and were sent summons to appear in court for debts they did not initiate. Creditors and financial lenders often think of identity theft as an escape goat for people to get out of debt, and the victim is left standing even if there is concrete evidence showing that the person did not authorize the debts.

This leaves us all in a shamble; since we have to do everything, we can to avoid identity theft. If it was up to me, I'd say get rid of the credit cards and other materials that have potential links to thieves, however nowadays if you do not have a credit card you are basically considered an outcast. We live in a stereotyped, uncultured world where too many judges and assumers control the environment, thus think like a criminal and protect your self from everyone, including creditors, cops, lawyers, government officials and so forth to win the horrific increasing rates of identity theft victims.

Tony Robinson is an International Author, Webmaster and Security Guru. Check out his Identity Theft Protection Tips at http://www.officialidentitytheft.com/

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fastest growing felony in North America. There are ways to reduce or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud. I have taken the following steps to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, and so can you:

Taking care of my personal data - I never give out personal information to people on the phone and to people who do not need to know. A person on the phone saying he is calling from my bank does not need to know my personal information because it is already on the file with my bank. I never print my Social Security or my telephone number on my personal bank checks. I would unnecessarily be passing out information to people who need not know.

I have had Scamsters call with offers to receive a prize or some valuable item, and asking for my personal data, such as Social Security number, credit card number or its expiration date, or my mother's maiden name.

While on the move - If I am away for some time, I have my mail held up at the post office, or have someone I trust empty my mailbox daily. In case I need to communicate some personal information to someone, I trust. I make sure I am in a booth where no one can listen to what I am conveying.

Checking financial information regularly - I regularly receive my monthly bank and credit card statements. If this becomes irregular, I check with the concerned institution immediately to ask what is going on. Chances are that my bills are going to an address I have not authorized. Someone may have assumed my identity and be improperly using my accounts. If so, I would immediately start proceedings to cope with this identity theft to put a stop to it.

In the next article of the series, let me tell you how I would cope with identity theft.

Jon publishes articles and ebooks to help individuals with their personal finance needs and goals

Identity theft basics

Identity theft is one of the latest buzzword within our society in recent times. Identity theft refers to hiding one's original identity and illegally misusing someone else's identity. The person pretending to be someone else tries to make money at the cost of others and makes an abusive use of fake identity. The occurrence of this form of crime has increased partly due to the expansion in our communication network where people interact or know about only the existence of other person but have not met them person. Since one does not recognize the other person by physical appearance it is easier for identity thieves to step into others shoe and gather vital information for their own selfish motives. Identity theft can also occur from distance when someone may call or communicate with any other person just to gather some confidential information and then misuse the data provided.

Emergence of Internet apart from providing many facilities and being a blessing for people has also added a lot to this already existing crime. With more and more business houses using Internet and computerized networks for their official workings increased amount of significant data are now found on web. Apart from the obtaining vital statistics of any corporate house or any important individual information, identity thieves do disguise to fool others and obtain some critical information like the credit card number or the social security number. Theft of credit card number and social security number can result in a great loss and trauma for the victim. As the culprit could use the credit card for withdrawing money from others account and also the crimes committed by the thief can be attributed to the victim since the thief was using a fake identity of other person.

This increasing form of crime has raised concern of many and people are now finding ways to combat such malicious actions that cause loss to innocent citizens. Apart from following the general instructions and relying on social systems to prevent such crimes certain individual effort is also required to protect one from identity thieves. One must be cautious not to provide any confidential information on Internet or any other public communication systems that can be accessed by anyone. Only after perfectly confirmed verification some information may be shared if it's very urgent. Also one should not rely on anyone else without careful verification of the identity of the other person.

It's a matter of great regret that such identity thieves many a times bank upon the sentiments of good citizens and fool them to make some easy money. Many such cases of false identity have been reported in recent past where people pretend to be someone in great need of help and when some virtuous person comes forward to help them they just breach others and make personal profits at the expense of others.

Recently when the world was struck by an unfortunate natural disaster of tsunami help from entire world poured in through all means. Government organizations of countries struck by this calamity had set websites to make people aware of the damages incurred and collect help from them if they could contribute to the well-being of victims. Following the genuine websites many fraudulent websites were also hosted at the same time to bank upon people's sentiments for personal interests. Such incidents and many others make it a moral responsibility of every citizen to come forward and assist in curbing this social crime.

Mansi gupta writes about identity theft .

Identity Theft - Your Prevention Guide

Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information (social security number, credit card numbers or some other personal information) and uses that information to apply for loans or credit cards under your name or to make unauthorized purchases or gain access to your financial accounts. It is extremely prevalent these days, but there are steps you can take which will reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft.

1. NEVER give out personal information (date of birth, social security number, credit card numbers) over the phone, by email or on the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you're dealing with. If your social security number is requested, ask if another form of ID could be substituted in its place.

2. ALWAYS shred papers that have your personal information on them before throwing them away. Papers that should be shredded include credit card receipts, checks, bank statements, credit card statements, expired credit cards and pre-approved credit card offers. Cross-cut shredders are great for this purpose.

3. Keep accurate and current records of all your credit cards and who you should contact in case they are lost or stolen. You may want to take copies of your credit cards and write the customer service number on the copy. If you are not currently using some of your credit cards, you should keep them securely locked away. Other things to keep in a secure location include: unused checks, your social security card, bank statements and credit card statements.

4. ALWAYS make sure you get your copy of a credit card receipt when making a purchase. Check to make sure your credit card was returned to you as well.

5. Check your credit reports annually. There are three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Every year, you are allowed one free credit report from each of these credit reporting agencies. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit reports, ordering one from a different agency every 4 months.

6. ALWAYS make sure there are no "shoulder surfers" around when you are keying in your PIN number at an ATM or store. Be careful that no one overhears you when giving out your credit card number or personal information over the phone.

7. When purchasing on the internet, always make sure the site you're using is secure. You know you're on a secure site if the web address changes from http:// to https:// when you click on "buy" or "add to cart." You will also note a lock or key symbol in the lower corner of the web page.

8. On your own computer, use a firewall and virus protection. Use passwords that include letters, numbers and symbols to make them more difficult to break. Never use PIN numbers that are obvious, such as your birth date, street number, phone number, the last four digits of your social security number or any consecutive numbers. Memorize your PIN number-do not write it down. If your mother's maiden name is requested for security purposes, use a password instead-one you will remember.

9. NEVER respond to emailed requests from banks or creditors to update your information. You should always call the institution directly or go to their website (do NOT use the website the email directs you to) to update your information. Rarely do banks or other institutions request such information by email, and it is a simple task for someone to create a website that looks just like your bank's or creditor's.

10. If you receive lots of pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, call (888) 5OPT OUT to have your name removed from the marketing lists sold by the major credit bureaus.

11. Drop off outgoing mail at your post office or collection box rather than leaving it in your mailbox for pick up.

12. Have new checks mailed to your bank and pick them up there.

13. Place passwords on your bank accounts, brokerage accounts and credit card accounts for protection. Once again, use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.

14. Consider an ID theft insurance policy.

15. Register with Equifax Credit Watch?. Equifax Credit Watch? makes monitoring your report easy by automatically alerting you within 24 hours of key changes in your Equifax Credit Report? - like when someone tries to get credit in your name or there are sudden changes in your credit card balances. - so you can act before serious damage is done. Debbie Pettitt teaches you all about identity theft: what it is, how it occurs and what to do if you are a victim at http://understandingidentitytheft.com. If you need help straightening out your credit report, learn all about it at http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.

The Identity Theft Epidemic : What The Experts Arent Telling You

Picture yourself walking down the street, all alone. It's late at night. It's a bit brisk, and the wind is blowing through the tall buildings on both sides of you. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, someone runs by you, knocks you over, grabs your wallet, and takes off.

It sounds like a scene from a movie, and there may come a time in the future where this type of person-to-person crime is only found in movies. Why would anyone rob a bank, or rob an individual, when they could simply use a person's information to obtain employment, credit cards, and lines of credit?

By now, everyone knows what Identity Theft is. Identity Theft has been showing up in the news for several years, and there has been a large public awareness campaign since the FTC Report in September 2003.

In their report, the FTC shared that the average Identity Theft victim spends over $1,400.00, and more than 200 hours, just to clear their good name. Reports now are saying that victims can end up spending much, much more in terms of time, money, and frustration.

Other people may be willing to spend that kind of time and money, but if you don't have an extra $1400 or 200 hours, read on!

What is Identity Theft?

Identity Theft couldn't happen to me, right?

What can I do to protect myself?

There is good news.

Identity Theft Insurance?

What is Identity Theft?
ID Theft happens when someone takes any piece of your personal information, and fraudulently uses it to obtain access to your credit, bank accounts, or to obtain employment.

How can it happen?
There are literally thousands of ways your information can be stolen, and, as Harris County district attorney Chuck Rosenthal knows, if it can happen to him, it is proof that identity theft and fraud can happen to anyone. "Rosenthal said nearly $8,000 was stolen from his account before it was discovered [] He said that he still has problems because of the crime -- his check was refused when he tried to buy supplies for his daughter."

There are thousands of stories like this one, which you have already been hearing about in your local or national news.

What can you do to protect yourself?
To be proactive, here are what the "experts" are telling you to do. Read this list carefully, and while you do, think about what it would mean in added time and frustration for your life:

Avoid giving out your Social Security numberShred or destroy bank and/or credit card informationShred or destroy any credit card or other direct mail offersCreate passwords containing numbers and lettersAvoid buying or making donations via the phoneBuy goods online only from a reputable Web siteInstall a computer firewall at home Read the privacy statements for all your accounts and your bank's liability clausesCheck your credit report more frequently Use only one credit card for purchases Avoid shopping online Update your computer virus protection daily Install Spyware software on your computer to be sure that you're not accidentally having your keystrokes recorded Drop your mail in the blue post boxes, not in your mailbox Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends... While you're at it, sign up for a locked mailbox, because you can't trust that your mail will stay in your mailbox The list goes on...and on...and on...

The "experts" are telling you to rearrange your entire life to proactively defend yourself against Identity Theft. However, what no one is telling you is this:

There is no 100% guarantee that your information won't be used. No matter what you do, you are as likely a target for Identity Theft as any other person you know.

Approximately 2,500 Washington County (Maryland) Board of Education employees discovered this when their Social Security numbers, names, birth dates and other private information were accidentally posted on the school system's web site for up to 45 days during 2004.

Consumer Reports states, "It is an equal-opportunity crime, affecting victims of all races, incomes, and ages. Overall, more than 33 million Americans, about 1 in 6 adults, say they have had their identities used by someone else sometime since 1990."

There is good news
If you become a victim of Identity Theft, you basically have two choices. You can try to handle it on your own, or you can let a professional help you.

If you try to handle it on your own, you might try to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A visit to the BBB's web site reveals this statement:

"If your complaint is against the identity thief, it is unlikely that the BBB can assist you. We urge you to report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

So you visit the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) web site, where you read the statement: "The FTC serves as the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of Identity Theft. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps us investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action."

In other words, the BBB and FTC will give you information on how to spend 200 hours and $1400, and will let you report information to them which can "lead to law enforcement action."

Beyond that, you're on your own, because they will not work to restore your individual credit. But they will send you a 25 page book with some very helpful information. Good luck.

This is not to fault the BBB or FTC. It's only to say that they do not have the resources to, on a daily basis, help over 27,000 people restore their good name and credit. Clearly, Americans need a different kind of help to resolve this issue.

Identity Theft Insurance?
Several companies, including Citibank and the three credit repositories, are offering different kinds of credit monitoring services. You have probably seen the very funny Citibank ads, promoting the protection of your information from thieves, and as a result of the ID Theft epidemic, Citibank now offers protection for their credit cards. This is an excellent idea, but credit card fraud only accounts for approximately 40% of Identity Theft cases.

What about the other 60% of identity theft cases? Well, most often, they happen when someone is using your name to obtain credit or employment. The three credit bureaus have stepped in to offer you credit monitoring services, which will let you track what is going on with your credit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This way, if your information is being used by someone you don't know, you will know about it the day it happens and, ideally, you'll be able to do something about it. The cost ranges from $4.95/month to $19.95/month. With these services, you're generally still on your own to get the issue resolved, but hopefully the early detection will help you be able to resolve the issue in less than 200 hours, and with less than $1,400.00.

Another company has stepped in, because they have seen this trend, and the need that consumers have for protection from identity theft. Kroll Worldwide is the world's foremost risk consulting company. They've been responsible for things like:

Tracking Saddam Hussein's money after the first Gulf War, creating an evacuation plan for the Sears Tower and many of the world's tallest buildings, and handling high profile cases such as the Enron debacle.

Kroll has created a product which not only monitors credit on a daily basis, and (like the credit repositories) gives you credit reports in a way that you can understand them, but they also assign a personal licensed investigator to you, who will do the work along side of you, to get your credit and identity restored and to track down the thief who committed the crime. This saves you time and money

Identity Theft shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, many state and federal law enforcement agencies are predicting that the problem will get worse before it gets better. Other companies are sure to follow the lead of Kroll in providing Identity Theft solutions. Probably no other company will be able to match the background and experience of a company like Kroll, but they will create similar products to help consumers, and within the next 3-5 years, Identity Theft protection will become an important part of the insurance-type products we use to protect ourselves on a daily basis.

In short, what the experts aren't telling you is this:

There is no guaranteed way to protect your information,

In an advanced age of rapid and electronic banking and communication, your information is publicly available to anyone who wants to find it,

If you've been a victim before, you're more likely to become a victim again, and

Identity Theft, as a crime, is here to stay.

Changing the way that you do things reduces the likelihood that you will become a victim, but you have no way of being sure that your information will stay your information.

The real state of affairs today is that you are walking down that dark street on a windy night, and someone robs you, but you don't know it, or feel it, for days, weeks, or months.

Having Identity Theft protection with highly qualified companies like Kroll is like walking down that street, knowing that you have a highly trained personal bodyguard watching your back and walking by your side.

It sounds like a scene from a movie, and there may come a time in the future where this type of person-to-person crime is only found in movies. Why would anyone rob a bank, or rob an individual, when they could simply use a person's information to obtain employment, credit cards, and lines of credit?

By now, everyone knows what Identity Theft is. Identity Theft has been showing up in the news for several years, and there has been a large public awareness campaign since the FTC Report in September 2003.

In their report, the FTC shared that the average Identity Theft victim spends over $1,400.00, and more than 200 hours, just to clear their good name. Reports now are saying that victims can end up spending much, much more in terms of time, money, and frustration.

Other people may be willing to spend that kind of time and money, but if you don't have an extra $1400 or 200 hours, read on!

What is Identity Theft?

Identity Theft couldn't happen to me, right?

What can I do to protect myself?

There is good news.

Identity Theft Insurance?

What is Identity Theft?
ID Theft happens when someone takes any piece of your personal information, and fraudulently uses it to obtain access to your credit, bank accounts, or to obtain employment.

How can it happen?
There are literally thousands of ways your information can be stolen, and, as Harris County district attorney Chuck Rosenthal knows, if it can happen to him, it is proof that identity theft and fraud can happen to anyone. "Rosenthal said nearly $8,000 was stolen from his account before it was discovered [] He said that he still has problems because of the crime -- his check was refused when he tried to buy supplies for his daughter."

There are thousands of stories like this one, which you have already been hearing about in your local or national news.

What can you do to protect yourself?
To be proactive, here are what the "experts" are telling you to do. Read this list carefully, and while you do, think about what it would mean in added time and frustration for your life:

Avoid giving out your Social Security numberShred or destroy bank and/or credit card informationShred or destroy any credit card or other direct mail offersCreate passwords containing numbers and lettersAvoid buying or making donations via the phoneBuy goods online only from a reputable Web siteInstall a computer firewall at home Read the privacy statements for all your accounts and your bank's liability clausesCheck your credit report more frequently Use only one credit card for purchases Avoid shopping online Update your computer virus protection daily Install Spyware software on your computer to be sure that you're not accidentally having your keystrokes recorded Drop your mail in the blue post boxes, not in your mailbox Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends... While you're at it, sign up for a locked mailbox, because you can't trust that your mail will stay in your mailbox The list goes on...and on...and on...

The "experts" are telling you to rearrange your entire life to proactively defend yourself against Identity Theft. However, what no one is telling you is this:

There is no 100% guarantee that your information won't be used. No matter what you do, you are as likely a target for Identity Theft as any other person you know.

Approximately 2,500 Washington County (Maryland) Board of Education employees discovered this when their Social Security numbers, names, birth dates and other private information were accidentally posted on the school system's web site for up to 45 days during 2004.

Consumer Reports states, "It is an equal-opportunity crime, affecting victims of all races, incomes, and ages. Overall, more than 33 million Americans, about 1 in 6 adults, say they have had their identities used by someone else sometime since 1990."

There is good news
If you become a victim of Identity Theft, you basically have two choices. You can try to handle it on your own, or you can let a professional help you.

If you try to handle it on your own, you might try to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A visit to the BBB's web site reveals this statement:

"If your complaint is against the identity thief, it is unlikely that the BBB can assist you. We urge you to report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

So you visit the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) web site, where you read the statement: "The FTC serves as the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of Identity Theft. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps us investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action."

In other words, the BBB and FTC will give you information on how to spend 200 hours and $1400, and will let you report information to them which can "lead to law enforcement action."

Beyond that, you're on your own, because they will not work to restore your individual credit. But they will send you a 25 page book with some very helpful information. Good luck.

This is not to fault the BBB or FTC. It's only to say that they do not have the resources to, on a daily basis, help over 27,000 people restore their good name and credit. Clearly, Americans need a different kind of help to resolve this issue.

Identity Theft Insurance?
Several companies, including Citibank and the three credit repositories, are offering different kinds of credit monitoring services. You have probably seen the very funny Citibank ads, promoting the protection of your information from thieves, and as a result of the ID Theft epidemic, Citibank now offers protection for their credit cards. This is an excellent idea, but credit card fraud only accounts for approximately 40% of Identity Theft cases.

What about the other 60% of identity theft cases? Well, most often, they happen when someone is using your name to obtain credit or employment. The three credit bureaus have stepped in to offer you credit monitoring services, which will let you track what is going on with your credit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This way, if your information is being used by someone you don't know, you will know about it the day it happens and, ideally, you'll be able to do something about it. The cost ranges from $4.95/month to $19.95/month. With these services, you're generally still on your own to get the issue resolved, but hopefully the early detection will help you be able to resolve the issue in less than 200 hours, and with less than $1,400.00.

Another company has stepped in, because they have seen this trend, and the need that consumers have for protection from identity theft. Kroll Worldwide is the world's foremost risk consulting company. They've been responsible for things like:

Tracking Saddam Hussein's money after the first Gulf War, creating an evacuation plan for the Sears Tower and many of the world's tallest buildings, and handling high profile cases such as the Enron debacle.

Kroll has created a product which not only monitors credit on a daily basis, and (like the credit repositories) gives you credit reports in a way that you can understand them, but they also assign a personal licensed investigator to you, who will do the work along side of you, to get your credit and identity restored and to track down the thief who committed the crime. This saves you time and money

Identity Theft shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, many state and federal law enforcement agencies are predicting that the problem will get worse before it gets better. Other companies are sure to follow the lead of Kroll in providing Identity Theft solutions. Probably no other company will be able to match the background and experience of a company like Kroll, but they will create similar products to help consumers, and within the next 3-5 years, Identity Theft protection will become an important part of the insurance-type products we use to protect ourselves on a daily basis.

In short, what the experts aren't telling you is this:

There is no guaranteed way to protect your information,

In an advanced age of rapid and electronic banking and communication, your information is publicly available to anyone who wants to find it,

If you've been a victim before, you're more likely to become a victim again, and

Identity Theft, as a crime, is here to stay.

Changing the way that you do things reduces the likelihood that you will become a victim, but you have no way of being sure that your information will stay your information.

The real state of affairs today is that you are walking down that dark street on a windy night, and someone robs you, but you don't know it, or feel it, for days, weeks, or months.

Having Identity Theft protection with highly qualified companies like Kroll is like walking down that street, knowing that you have a highly trained personal bodyguard watching your back and walking by your side.

Jonathan Kraft is a specialist in computer-related Identity Theft and options within the legal system. For more information on how you can protect yourself and make sure that your information stays your information, visit http://www.consumerfairplay.com/idtheft.html

Identity Theft Problem Solution

We live in an information-oriented society. Technology allows us to do business and make transactions literally in a matter of seconds. This abundance of information has given rise to a new crime - identity theft. In fact, according to a 2003 release from the Federal Trade Commission, almost 10 million people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year.

So what does that mean? Someone has stolen your credit card your credit card company can help you with that, right? Well, according to the FTC, almost 60% of identity theft issues dont pertain to your existing credit card accounts. Identity theft can occur as a result of new lines of credit being opened in your name either through credit cards or bank loans as well as phone/utility fraud and even employment related fraud. Because we are susceptible through so many avenues in our daily life, we are all at risk.

What can you do? Where would you turn if you found yourself in this situation? Would you know where to start to clear your name? Well, now you dont have to worry about what to do as we have the answer.

As you already know, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. is a pioneer of the legal services industry. With more than 30 years of experience in providing legal rights protection to our members, we have now teamed with Kroll Inc., the worlds leading independent risk consulting company. Kroll is a 30 year old, publicly traded company that provides a broad range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security, and technology services to help clients reduce risks, solve problems, and capitalize on opportunities. Headquartered in New York with more than 60 offices on six continents, Kroll has a multidisciplinary corps of more than 2,200 employees and serves a global clientele of law firms, financial institutions, corporations, nonprofit institutions, government agencies, and individuals. Over the last three years, Kroll has developed a unique solution for victims of identity theft. This new service is now available to Pre-Paid Legal members through the IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD benefit.

What does this benefit provide our members?

The Identity Theft Shield gives you easy access to the resources you need to understand your credit ratings and to fight back if an identity thief threatens your financial standing. This benefit is designed to alert you to suspicious account activity, to restore any resulting damage to your credit history and to reimburse you for covered out-of-pocket expenses you may incur in the process.

1. Credit Report Through Experian
Make sure your financial records are accurate.
Your credit standing is one of your most important financial assets. It not only affects your ability to get credit, it often dictates the interest rate at which you can borrow. It can also affect your ability to purchase insurance or to find employment. Some insurance companies and prospective employers use your credit rating to gauge your sense of responsibility.
Experts recommend you review your credit report regularly. The Identity Theft Shield makes it easy. Members are entitled to an up-to-date credit report from Experian at no additional charge.

Personal Credit Score and Analysis from Experian
Know your credit score . . . and how it affects your ability to borrow.
Your credit score is derived from the information in your credit report. This score is used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness. The higher the number, the better your chance of being approved for the credit you want.
A detailed analysis of your Personal Credit Score will be included with your Credit Report. You can use this analysis to evaluate your current credit standing.

2. Continuous Credit Monitoring Through Experian
Learn of suspicious activity before your credit is ruined.
A professional thief can assume your identity in just a few hours. But it can take years for you to repair your credit standing.
Early detection is key to minimizing the damage caused by thieves who steal you name.
With your Identity Theft Shield membership, your credit files will be monitored through Experian daily. Suspicious activity will be brought to your attention, providing you with early detection. Youll receive prompt notice if any new accounts are opened in your name . . . or if negative notations are added to your credit report.

3. Fraud Restoration Service
Get personal assistance and advice from experts.
Any discrepancy in your credit report should be addressed at once. Call our Customer Services Department at the designated Identity Theft Shield number and explain your concerns. If it is identity theft, our fraud investigators will assist you every step of the way. A Fraud Restoration package with complete and detailed materials, aids, and instructions will be rushed to you.

If you sign a Limited Power of Attorney, you will be entitled to Enhanced Restoration Services. Kroll will work with you to determine the extent of the fraud in your credit and regarding your identity. On your behalf, Kroll will issue fraud alerts to the three major credit repositories, the Federal Trade Commission, the Social Security Administration, and the United States Postal Service. Kroll will work with the bureaus, creditors, and collection agencies to restore your credit accuracy with regard to your identity theft issues. If necessary and reasonable, Kroll will work with law enforcement, the department of motor vehicles, and other organizations to resolve your identity theft issues

If you decline the Limited Power of Attorney, you will receive Basic Consulting Services. Kroll will work with you to determine the extent of the fraud in your credit and regarding your identity. Kroll will provide you with contact information and procedures for the organizations you will need to work with. Kroll will provide sample letters and forms and be available to you through a
toll-free phone number for assistance and advice throughout the process of restoring your identity.

Now, it is important to understand any identity theft that occurred prior to the membership enrollment or any situations relating to a business identity are not covered. Identity Restoration will not apply if the identity theft is the result of a dishonest, criminal, malicious, or fraudulent act you, your spouse, or child participated in, directed, or had knowledge of. Restoration services will
not be provided for a preexisting, known stolen identity event. You must be an active, paid member to receive restoration services. Plan benefits do not cover financial losses arising from the identity theft.

$25,000 Identity Theft Restoration Reimbursement Benefit
Pays your covered out-of-pocket expenses.

The Identity Theft Shield includes up to $25,000 in a fraud restoration reimbursement benefit. This coverage will reimburse you for covered expenses you may incur while working to clear your name. These include:
lost wages up to $500 per week with a maximum of up to four weeks
legal defense fees and expenses
the cost of notarizing affidavits or similar documents, long distance telephone calls, and even postage!
the cost of re-filing applications for loans, grants, or other credit instruments

Some restrictions of the restoration reimbursement benefit include: Insurance benefits and services provided by member companies of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The description is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for complete details of coverage and
exclusions. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Coverage available only if the stolen identity event occurs while you are an Identity Theft Shield member and is reported to us within six months.

Did you know, that on average, victims spend more than 175 hours and $1,500 in out-of-pocket expenses to clear their names. With Pre-Paid Legals IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD, the cost of combating identity theft is much less. For just $9.95/month, IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD members have the added security of knowing they have someone to fight the battle for them. And, the best thing is this monthly fee provides benefits to both you, the member, and your spouse.

Reports on identity theft are everywhere; television, newspapers, magazines, talk shows, etc. Now that you know this benefit is available, doesnt it make sense to have this sort of coverage? Imagine the peace of mind you would have knowing you and your spouse would have access to all of these services if you found yourself to be an identity theft statistic? Contact the person who
referred you to this call to sign up for your Identity Theft membership. Dont wait until it is too late - do it today!

For a full list of disclosures and exclusions, please consult the Identity Theft Shield written material provided by Pre-Paid Legal at
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/IDT/markfreink

Hi! My name is Mark Freink. I am an Independent Associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. I just wanted as many people as possible to know about new big problem that is coming on our society. It is Identity Theft. And I wanted not only everybody know about that and also I have the solution how to fight this problem. That is why I am writing this article.

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> DECISION
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