Every year, thousands of people are reported to have been victimized by identity theft. If you own a debit card, credit card, ATM or if you have a bank account, you are at risk of ID theft. Identity thieves steal personal information from unsuspecting victims and use these information to commit fraud against them.

What can you do to protect yourself from ID theft?

Check your credit report at least twice a year. Check your report for any sign of fraud such as incorrect charges, new accounts opened without your consent, and other strange information. Alert your creditor and the bureaus if you found any misinformation.

Keep photocopies of your important documents. File a photocopy of your credit cards, ATM cards, department store cards, company id, driver’s license, Social Security ID, etc. Having these photocopies with you should come in handy in case of ID theft.

Acquire ID theft protection. Applying for a credit report freeze and fraud alert can protect your accounts. A credit report freeze is free but if you want to “lift” the freeze, there is a fee ranging $10-$12 for each bureau. A fraud alert is free but is only available for victims of ID theft.

Use ATM machines with caution. Make sure that no one is standing too close anywhere near you when using the ATM. Don’t throw your ATM receipts in the trash as ID thieves can also use your account details to commit fraud.
Do not disclose your personal information to anyone. Do not provide your personal information to anyone, whether though a phone call or through e-mail. If a company asks for your SSN to confirm your identification, tell them your concerns about ID theft.

Acting AGAINST ID Theft
What if you have been a victim of identity theft? Is there something you can do about it? Here are the positive steps that you can do to protect your credit:

Notify your creditors. Call your bank or creditors and explain your situation.

Notify the credit bureaus. Get in touch with the three major credit reporting agencies and request for a fraud alert.

Here are the numbers to call:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680 7289

File a complaint. You should also file a complaint to your State Attorney Generals’ Office.

Copyright © 2008 Consolidate4Free.com