Hey, That's Not Me: Get Your Credit Report
Contributed by Caryn e Zent
Get Your Credit Report: Stop Identity Theft
Getting your credit report is one way to stop identity theft. Knowledge is power! Thousands of Americans are victims of identity theft every year, and the number is rising. Many others choose not to report the crime for some reason or don't even know they are a victim. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 80% of victims they speak to have no idea how the theft occurred. The internet has opened up whole new ways for thieves to prey upon us.
E-mail "phishing" scams entice people to enter personal information into phony websites. Some people have used "skimmers," fake credit cards that collect credit card information. Failure to safeguard your social security card can result in a thief procuring accounts in your name. Something as simple as trash picking can yield bank and credit card statements. How can you protect yourself?
Review Your Credit Report Regularly
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to know what is on your credit report. This will now be easier thanks to new federal laws that allow one free credit report per year for consumers. Check www.ftc.org to find out when your state is eligible, or visit www.annualcreditreport.com. If you see something weird, call the creditor immediately. Also, shred or tear up bank and credit card statements, anything that contains private information.
Personal shredders are cheap, or use your hands or a pair of scissors. Review bank and credit statements as soon as you get them. Don't leave mail sitting in your mailbox. Never carry your Social Security Card with you. Never, ever give personal information. Financial information will never be solicited via email, or telephone, so don't give it out, ever, unless you called the company yourself.
