Minimizing Your Risk from Identity Theft
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by: RexSimpleton
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It's very hard to be an identity theft victim but the best thing to do is to learn some tips about identity theft in order to avoid finding yourself in this situation.
1. If you suspect that someone is using your identity to commit fraud crimes you must contact as soon as possible the fraud departments of the consumer reporting companies in order for them to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
Fraud alerts act as warnings for creditors in case someone makes an account or a transaction in your name. Fraud alerts come in two types: initial alert and extended alert.
The difference between these two fraud alerts is in terms of their duration. The initial alert usually last for ninety days on your credit report while the extended fraud alert stays much longer and last for as long as seven years. You can choose between these two frauds alerts the best one that you think will provide you with a better protection. Plus you only have to contact only one of the consumers reporting companies since it will simply relay to the other two the fraud alert.
2. If you have been a fraud victim you can choose to close your account which has been used for transactions. If you want to check accounts that are opened in your name you should use the ID Theft Affidavit.
3. Complaining to the local police department in your city or filing a report concerning identity theft can be one of the best things to do when identity theft happens to you. Also, you should keep a copy of the report to show it to the creditors as a proof of the crime.
4. Another place where you need to file a complaint and a report is the Federal Trade Commission. They have a database with all the reported frauds and identity thefts and will ensure that you learn all the information regarding protection identity theft.
No one is safe from identity theft. Anyone can be a victim so be sure to be extra careful especially in divulging information about yourself. The internet is one of the means by which identity thieves get hold of other people's personal information so be very careful in transacting business online. Make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company and in filling up some online forms be sure to divulge only information that is required of you. Refrain from giving extra information about yourself.
Sometimes you will receive emails that will inform you about different prizes that you won; ignore those emails because they are not true and will only put your personal information in danger. You will be asked to fill a form with your personal information; most criminals use this method to gather information about people. Also, if you happen to receive such mails make sure that you inform the Federal Trade Commission about it to help prevent other people.
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Do not be a victim of identity theft. There are steps you can begin to take right now to prevent this from happening. Get started today with a brand new 5 part course in Identity Theft Prevention
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