Protecting yourself and your family from identity theft crime is becoming a necessity.  More and more Americans are being victimized everyday by identity thieves.  These anonymous enemies are quite skilled at obtaining your personal information.  They use the information to secure credit cards, driver’s licenses, birth certificates and/or other identification documents.  The damage they cause is horrible and not only can they ruin your credit, but they have the ability to use your personal information in the execution of a crime.

The US Treasury Department states that more than $7,500 and 4-6 months is spent by the average victim of identity theft to clear his/her name.  As you can see, it’s a very expensive and time-consuming process.  However, there are resources available to aid you.  The Federal Trade Commission’s website provides victims with a step-by-step process on how you, the victim, can begin resolving the issue. 

There are numerous independent companies that have established themselves for the sole purpose of providing identity theft victims with a plethora of expert services.  Some of these services include: how to identify if you’ve been a victim of identity theft, how to monitor your personal information, and working with agencies rectify any fraudulent or erroneous data that results from identity theft.  Securing expert advice could cost you less money, stress and time then trying to absolve the situation on your own.

Luckily, there are precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself against identify theft.

Monitor Your Personal Information Regularly

By keeping a close eye on your credit reports, bank statements, and other personal information you will know right away if any inaccurate or fraudulent data has been submitted.

Your credit score is available in three different versions from the three different credit agencies.  Most lenders look at all three reports and use the middle score.  To obtain all three credit reports for free just go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only service authorized by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion for this purpose.  The three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies have always encouraged consumers to regularly review their credit reports.

Keep Your Mail Secure

A security mailbox is a simple way to protect you and your family from a crime that grows more popular daily.  And it is not just hardened criminals looking to take your mail and your identity.  Occasionally a kid thinking it is funny and just a prank steals mail.  The point is you never know.  Locking mailboxes are easy to install and for a few hundred dollars you can have peace of mind knowing your mail is much safer in a steel, locked box and not just a cheap mailbox with an unlocked lid.

Shred Your Personal Documents Prior to Throwing them Away

Shred any bank and credit card statements prior to throwing them in the trash and shred any credit cards that you are no longer using before throwing them away.  By shredding these sensitive items, identity theft thieves will not be able to steal vital information from your trash.

Many people are under the assumption that shredding won’t alleviate this problem as the thieves will, and do, take the time to piece the documents back together.  If you are concerned about that, it is recommended that you get a top of the line paper shredder that cuts the paper into tiny bits that are impossible to tape back together.

Keep Copies of Personal Documents

In case your wallet is ever stolen, it is important that you have copies of all its contents (i.e. driver’s license and credit cards) to quickly call and cancel or replace them.  In addition to the contents of your wallet, you should also make copies of your passport, birth certificate, social security card, etc.  Any copies you make should be stored and locked in a safe place, like a safety deposit box.

Change Your Account Numbers Often

If you have the smallest inkling that the security of your personal information has been jeopardized, change your account numbers immediately.  This pertains to insurance (medical and auto), cell phones, bank accounts, credit cards, PIN numbers – anything that is directly linked to your money.  Also, never have any account number contain any part of your Social Security Number.

Place a Fraud Alert

A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. It also may delay your ability to obtain credit. You may place a fraud alert in your file by calling just one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. As soon as that company processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts in your file.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com
 Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com
 TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

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