Identity Theft

We all use credit cards, and many of us use them daily. We use them at local businesses, online and over the phone. With credit cards being used in so many different places, thieves have many opportunities to steal information. One of the biggest fears of credit card users is that their accounts will be compromised.

In the event that your card is stolen, it is important to know exactly what to do to prevent significant financial loss. There are several things you can do both before your information becomes compromised, as well as after the fact.

Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Notify your credit card company:

Before the theft happens, be sure you have the phone number of your credit company and your account number in an easy-to-find place. Call them immediately upon learning that your information has been stolen, so that they can deactivate your card and prevent future purchases by the thief.

Often credit card companies will not hold you liable for fraudulent charges made on your card. By notifying them quickly, you not only are able to stop future purchases, but your credit company can document the date from which you are not liable for purchases made on your card.

Be sure to write down the names of each person you talk to when you call the company, and document the date and time that you called. It is also useful to have a short, written summary of your phone conversations with each person. This information may be crucial in the event you need to prove that you took immediate action, and that you were instructed by official representatives from your credit card company.

2. Call the credit-reporting agencies:

Alert these companies of the theft so that they can put a fraud-alert on your account. Do this as soon as you become aware that your account has been compromised. This prevents the thieves from opening any new accounts in your name. Here is the contact information for two of the major national credit-reporting agencies.

3. Document your credit status:

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every year. Take advantage of this if your credit card information falls into the wrong hands. If your credit card information is stolen, it is important to get documented proof of your current credit standing before any fraudulent activity is reported.

Keep in mind that even if you have already obtained a free copy this year, you may be able to get another one if there is a fraud alert on your account.

4. Call your local police

Let them know of the theft and file a police report.

5. Consider filing an identity-theft report:

This report is generally in two parts. You will probably complete part at your local police station and part at a consumer reporting agency.

Hopefully, your credit card information will never be compromised. But if you should become the victim of fraud, these tips will help you take control of the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible.

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If you are a frequent internet user, chances are good that you may be exposing your identity to many of the bad guys out there. Twenty percent of all people will become a victim of identity theft, and this number is growing. Although not all these victims are due to online activity, you can rest assured that your identity will remain safe as long as you don't make the following online mistakes.

Mistake #1 - Give out personal information to people you don't know.

This does not really need much explanation but the truth is, many people are very trusting and some people have the "it won't happen to me" attitude about identity theft. Most of these people fall in the above mentioned twenty percent. When online, TRUST NO-ONE! This may sound rather harsh, but it could save you a whole lot of trouble.

Mistake #2- Make online purchases on insecure websites.

This is one that many people who are new to purchasing online may not know about. When making purchases online and you are asked to enter your credit card information, look at the address bar of the webpage. It should start with "https" not "http". The letter "S" indicates a secure webpage. Many times there will also be an icon of a closed padlock as well.

Mistake #3- Respond to an email from your bank or financial institution by clicking the link in the email and entering your information.

Many high-tech cyber criminals develop phishing sites, which are websites made to look like that of a popular financial institution. They then send spam emails out making them look like they were sent from the financial institution. When you click the link in the email and enter your information, you just gave the bad guys access to your account. Banks typically will not ask for information by email. If you receive a similar email from your bank or financial institution, call them by phone or make sure you type the web address directly into your web browser instead of clicking on a link to get there.

Mistake #4- Select short easy to remember passwords or use the same password for every site.

But I can't remember a bunch of long passwords. We all use the same excuse. I am guilty myself. If a password is easy for you to remember then chances are it's also easy for a cyber-thief to crack. Make sure you select passwords with a combination of numbers, letters and symbols at least 8 -10 characters in length. Write down the usernames and passwords for each website on a piece of paper (do not save it on your computer). Store the piece of paper in a secure, hidden yet accessible place where you will not forget it.

Mistake #5- Let your computer protection software become outdated, or worse yet, don't have any at all.

Surfing the web without computer protection software is like swimming through shark infested water with raw meat attached to your body. Sooner or later you are going to get bit. By computer protection software, I am talking about antivirus, anti-spyware software and a firewall. Nowadays you absolutely must have all three. There is plenty of good free software out there that will do just fine but most of them will not update automatically. I recommend purchasing and maintaining an internet security system that includes all three of these programs. It is generally well worth the investment.

Now you know the five most common mistakes made by victims of online identity theft. To ensure that you do not become a victim yourself, be very careful about what information you release, only make purchases from secure websites and use long difficult passwords. Also, be very suspicious about strange emails and make sure to keep your computer protection software updated. Follow the above advice and you will significantly lower your chances of becoming part of the twenty percent.

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Believe it or not there are multiple ways in which your identity can be stolen. It happens to Americans every day. There are two things that you can do to protect yourself. Having your identity stolen can be very stressful, costly, and harmful to your credit score ratings. First, you should know the ways to protect you from this even happening to you. Second, if identity theft does occur, have a concrete game plan in place. Here are a few steps to help you in case your identity ever gets stolen.

1. If your cards have been stolen, immediately cancel them. Make sure that any corresponding accounts that are linked to them are also shut down. If you cannot remember the exact point that your items might have gotten stolen, go over the recent charges with the agent that you are working with. They should be able to reverse any charges that were not made by you.

2. Contact one of the three credit score companies. You might want to contact all three for safe measure however, they should share the information with each other without you having to call. They will be able to put a fraud alert on your account. This will make the process of applying for lines of credit or opening accounts in your name impossible. It will require more identification from you in the event that you are ready to apply for new things. Be patient and remember that the alert is there to protect you, not to be annoying.

3. Watch for any new accounts being opened in your name. If one happens to get opened call the company and let them know that it is a fraudulent account. By signing up to receive a free credit score or a ratings report they might also offer you monitoring. This is very safe for you to do. In the event that you may not know your identity has been stolen, it will alert you of any changes made to your credit score rating.

4. Change any and all passwords that you may use online. This is extremely important if you didn't know that your identity was stolen. They were able to hack into your account before so change everything and try to mix up the passwords.

These are just a few of the things that you can do as a consumer to protect yourself. While identity theft can be scary, if you have a plan in place you will be better prepared.

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If you've ever been in a situation where you've lost your wallet or purse, you understand how terrible the situation can be. You spend all day looking in every nook and cranny you can think of, and it still never manages to turn up. You start worrying that someone might have used your identification card and credit cards to commit identity theft. In this article, I'll explain what to do if your wallet is stolen or lost.

As mentioned, you really need to search your house or apartment thoroughly. Chance are, you've simply misplaced it. Check under the bed, in the couch cushions, and anywhere else you might have been since you last had it. Of course, if you're reading this article, you've probably done all of that already.

Once you've ruled out a simple misplacement, you should call any establishment that you have visited recently, including bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. If you visited a place and the wallet or purse was dropped while you were there, someone might have found it and turned it in to lost and found.

If you're still out of luck, calling your banks to cancel all of your debit and credit cards is a very important next step. If your wallet was stolen or found by some unsavory criminal, you want to try and minimize the damage early. Contacting each of your financial institutions quickly will inform them that you aren't responsible for any new transactions that occur. You can generally find their contact information online by visiting their website.

After you've informed the bank of your lost or stolen wallet, you should also contact the local police department. The police will help your file a report, and if anyone happens to turn in your wallet to them, you will be easier to find. Banks and credit card companies may also want to see that report in order to prove that any fraudulent transaction were not your responsibility.

If you had a drivers' license in your wallet or purse, it's important to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to request a new license. They will generally charge a fee for processing a new license.

In the unfortunate event that your wallet contained a large sum of cash, call your home owners or renters insurance provider immediately. You might get lucky if your policy contains a provision for this, but they will most certainly require a police report. Insurance companies are aware the fraud happens frequently in this type of case, so be prepared to plead your case and provide ample proof.

Lastly, you need to be aware of identity theft on your financial transactions going forward. Check each of your financial statements (online where applicable), and keep an eye peeled for any suspicious looking activity. Check your credit report frequently after your wallet has been stolen or lost, because you never know when someone might try to open a new account in your name.

Losing a wallet or purse is a terrible thing to have happen to you, but if you're diligent in taking action right away, you can help mitigate any long-term damage. Check your credit report at Equifax, TransUnion, and/or Experian, call the police, and hope for the best. Stay safe!

Jason Molnar is the creator of StartProducingWealth.com, a site dedicated to helping people create and protect their wealth from identity theft. By providing an Equifax promotion code, he can help you save money when checking your credit report and scores. He's also active at providing information about leading identity fraud protection service providers, and will explain how they can you prevent becoming a victim of identity theft.

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With the recent hacking of social sites, and the traumatic experiences that are in my book about identity theft and identity fraud, gives me even more reason to pause. Our privacy has been compromised for years. Yet, no one actually takes the time to really listen to what is "really" being said. If our information is stolen, we do not know how many people the thief actually sells our information to and what happens after the sale.

Working in the financial industry for many years, I witnessed the exact same situations. My clients, and with people who didn't become my clients. They said, "Oh, it will never happen to me." Many of these people would tell me God would take care of them. Had it ever occurred to these people, that working through my services, was God's way of helping these folks?

After leaving the financial industry, and I left because of my own identity theft, my lessons of life escalated. I myself never thought that I would be the target of identity thief. Yet, it happened to me. While alone and in trauma, I learned everything possible about the computer, and also how the Phantoms (as I have named them in my book), not only target people online but also offline as well.

Can it happen to anyone. Yes it can. Identity Theft is a stigma that is difficult to overcome. With retirement funds stolen, reputation ruined, bank accounts depleted, and credit cards appearing one after the other, security codes from the banks fraud department breached, targeted people experience a depth of betrayal that can result in a lifetime of work to gain trust, and feel secure.

But trust can return. It's not easy and it takes time. Learning to protect our identity is work. There are many habits we have (especially here in America) that need to be broken, and new habits learned. Example using Debit Cards with pin numbers, even at the ATM. This convenience is a habit that can lead to identity theft. The list can seem endless. But learning the list of ways to protect ourselves is not nearly as endless as the repercussions of the theft.

We must learn to place our lives in God's blessings and miracles network. The is a network where we can truly find safety and security. Many people proclaim to be strong believers, yet it is only lip service. Our identity is unique. No one else is exactly like us. When we lose our financial or professional identity, we many times leave our spirit stark naked and ready for the Phantoms to clothe us in depression, hurt, anger, and lack of trust; especially trusting God. This was my lesson to learn. And it did take a few years. Now, with lessons learned, I can take that trauma and teach other people how to not let it happen to them, and if it does happen to them, how to overcome and start over. But it's difficult to teach an ostrich with his head in the sand.

Today in these difficult financial times and tight economy there are predators lurking in the shadows of cyberspace, looking for easy targets or victims to prey upon. They search out and find private financial information and pilfer the banks, credit cards and investment accounts of their victims. For the most part, these predators and thieves walk away with their victims money and are seldom caught. You can learn valuable lessons that will secure your identity..Stay informed of what to beware of in your own live to ensures that there is hope for people who have been hit by identity theft. People who have not been attacked can learn how to protect and secure their identity. For more help http://www.patrcagaines.com/

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Keidra was so excited. She had been accepted by the University of her choice. Even more excited were Keidra's parents. They had been paying money into a good safe investment college fund for sixteen years. Time to liquidate part of the money as Keidra was headed to school to become a lawyer.

Keidra's parents had been very meticulous about funding and keeping track of her future as an attorney. When the statements came to their mail box they were immediately opened and scrutinized. Keidra had been present for this family tradition from the time she was ten years old.

She and her parents planned a special dinner the night the first check was to be sent to the admissions office of the University. Keidra had envisioned herself walking across the stage with that final degree of accomplishment in her hand. She had envisioned as well the victory in passing the bar exam. Her life would be great with her dream becoming a reality.

What Keidra and her parents didn't know was that Keidra's identity had been stolen along with theirs. It was 10:00 AM, a hot muggy summer day when Keidra and her parents received the phone call from the University Staff. The check for Keidra's first semester had bounced. How could this be?

Keidra's family went into panic mode. Her parents checked their financials only to find that the majority of their money gone. They were good stewards of their money. They had worked and saved and invested with wisdom.

What they had not done was listen when there was a news report on the media about Identity Theft because it could never happen to them. Those poor souls that experienced such trauma were out there in the busyness of life.

Starting with the phone call from the University, Keidra and her family entered into a nightmare of hell that had been carefully planned and executed. Their Identity had been stolen and sold to only God knows how many people.

Their hope turned into hopelessness. Their life of happiness turned into a life of stressfulness and dark depression. The family unit was damaged to the point of seeking therapy. They could get very little help from anyone in law enforcement. Keidra's vision of becoming an attorney soon became the reality of being a waitress at a nearby diner.

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the world. It takes years and many times a lifetime to recover. The key factor in Identity Theft is to hold on to hope. Anyone can start over regardless of age, stage, or condition. If we give up our hope, we allow The Phantoms Of Darkness to control our lives.

Is this what we really want to do? Live in the dark world of Phantoms? Envision your hope as a peaceful light of love around your world and allow that love to lead guide and direct you to a new and more productive life. You can do it! Learn how to recover and protect yourself. It just takes becoming aware.

For more information about learning how to cope and learn the skills needed to function in today's world of complexity and Identity Theft go to http://www.patrcagaines.com/ Identity Theft can be controlled. Alone we can do so little, together we can move mountains. Join with us today. http://www.patrcagaines.com/

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