Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the leading crimes today that is affected millions of individuals. As a victim and survivor of identity theft, I feel more than qualified to help you avoid becoming the next victim of the awful crime of identity. After battling seven long years, I am still in the struggling to restore my identity. However, after dealing with government officials, police agencies, Social Security Administration and others, I have made little wave in the restoration of my life.

Recently, after speaking with the government I learned that even applying for a new social security number would get me knows where, since the thief has my identity he/she will also have access to my new social security number.

Identity theft is one of the worst crimes that anyone can commit against another person. When a person takes your identity, your credit is negative and it is difficult to get credit from any lender. Furthermore, when your identity is robbed of you, it is difficult to find someone that will rent to you, or else extend you credit under any circumstances. When you call the three major credit bureaus that will ask you to send in your previous utility bills or rental receipts along with other information before you can even get your credit reports. The procedures of recovery your life is ungodly.

To prevent identity NEVER give out your information over the phone lines. It is important to avoid giving your information over the Internet as well. If you are, placing orders with credit cards or paying bills online make sure the site is secure before giving any information. If the site does not have a lock and key at the bottom of the page or else an ‘s' behind the http in the search engine then avoid giving any information at all cost.

If you are using the ATM at your bank, make sure no one is looking when you type in your PIN number. Also, if you are making purchases at gas stations, grocery stores or anywhere where you will use your credit card make sure that your PIN number is never seen by anyone. If you make purchases with credit cards be sure to keep the receipt and look it over thoroughly to make sure you are not charged for more than the purchase price. Never throw your letters or receipts in the garbage, rather if you receive letters in the mail with your information use a shredder to dispose of the information.

It is important to request copies of your credit reports randomly and if you notice, any debts on the reports dispute the charges immediately. You may also want to let your credit bureau report holders know that someone may have access to your identity. If you suspect this is true, ask the credit bureaus to place a FREEZE on your account verses a FRAUD ALERT. Fraud alerts only alert creditors that your credit report has been violated by someone, but will let the creditors know that you may be the source since investigation is pending. A FREEZE will block in outgoing or incoming information and protect you against negative points on your credit report.

It is important to hide your credit cards, social security number, driver license and other valuable information in a safe place where only you are capable of finding the information as needed. If you go through the drive thru at your local bank, pharmacy or other services few times the people will ask for your social security number and date of birth, thus ask them to send you a paper so that you can write the information down, rather than tell them through the speaker.

Finally, if anyone regardless if you know the source asks for your social security number on the phone lines, do not give them to them, rather ask that they send you a form to fill out so that you can provide the information needed after a background check of their service is conducted. Protect your self at all cost and do not become the next victim of identity theft.