Are You Already An Identity Theft Victim?
According to studies, there were over 15 million American victims of identity theft in the last year alone. You can expect that number to rise.
Persons who find themselves victim to this kind of crime have a lot to suffer through. Not only have they been taken advantage of, they also have to endure long hours of trying to clear up their good name and finances once again.
Since this crime does not show any signs stopping soon, early detection is the only other smart solution. You certainly would not want a thief tampering with the credit rating for which you have worked so hard.
How these identity thieves get your personal information is easy enough. It can be as innocent as someone rummaging through your thrash, someone watching over your shoulder as you punch in your pin numbers at the ATM machine and sending emails that look as if it is a legitimate business.
Once they get all your personal information, these thieves will change your billing address. You will not be aware of this unless you monitor the receipt of your bills in the mail, closely keep track of your charges, and constantly check your credit reports.
Below are sure signs that you are an identity theft victim.
1. Upon checking your credit report, you find that there are some new charge cards from companies you do not know anything about. You might not pay attention to this because you are in a hurry and many of the charges listed ARE yours. Be sure to check all of the charges carefully. While you’re at it, check for duplicate charges, just in case. Mistakes can happen too.
2. You are receiving bills for new credit card accounts that you did not open.
3. You notice some changes in your credit card statement that you did not even authorize.
4. You are receiving calls from business owners regarding items that they said you bought but actually do not have any idea about.
5. Debts are starting to show on your reports and you find yourself being denied credit.
If you are beginning to notice these things, you need not panic first. Just think that there might be some logical explanation for this. But do not forget to follow up and report these things immediately. You may not know it yet but you might be an identity theft victim already.
In order to avoid being an unknowing victim of this crime, you have to make sure that:
You are keeping a close watch on your credit card activities. Your physical card is not important to make purchases toward your account. Take note that by simply getting hold of the number on your card, any person can make charges against your credit by making online or telephone purchases. Often these days, merchants also require an expiration date and the security code on the back of the card. This isn’t a total fail safe, but it does ensure that the purchaser is in possession of the card (presumably).
It is a fact that majority of people are not scrutinizing their billing statement each month. This makes it possible for identity thieves to get away with hundreds or even thousands worth of merchandise, before anyone becomes suspicious, even the victim.
Try also to monitor your credit report. Once your credit report starts showing signs of having poor credit ratings when you always pay your bills on time, it is time to focus your attention on getting to the bottom of the problem.
Identity thieves may be spending all your money to buy merchandise and obtain cash advances. And you are the one being obliged to pay the bills. Not only are they getting the money you have worked so hard for, but they are also destroying the credit rating you have tried so hard to maintain.
Another step to take so you will not become an identity theft victim is to make payments in safe places. With thieves, you can never tell. They might appear like bystanders minding their own business but are actually looking out for you when you start writing out personal details.
Be one step ahead of them by thinking what other strategies they can use in stealing your identity. Be wary of persons you are next to when shopping and when paying bills. You might be taken advantage of right there and then.
Avoiding being an identity theft victim is only a matter of being smart and wary of suspicious people around you.
Although trusting other people is a must at times, you just have to be choosey about the persons to whom you will give your trust.
Category: Identity Theft