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Identity Theft - 7 Warning Signs
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Author: S. Terry
Topic: Scams
Viewed: 71 time(s)
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Concerns regarding personal Identity Theft are growing stronger
as more announcements are made regarding compromised databases
and files from credit card companies and financial institutions.
It is even more alarming when you realize how simple it is for
someone to steal your identity and ruin your credit.
Here are a 7 Red Flags to watch for that could signal an
identity theft attempt:
1. You are not receiving your mail - including utility bills,
credit card statements, magazine subscriptions. Know when your
financial statements are normally delivered and contact the
company involved if you don't receive them. Someone may be
stealing mail from your mailbox or has successfully forwarded
your mail to another address. Contact the post office to see if
a change of address or a forward mail request has been flagged
for your mail.
2. You notice charges on your credit card statements that you
have not made. Contact the credit card company immediately, an
identity thief may be using your credit card number.
3. Withdrawls made from your bank account that you haven't made
(both small and large amounts). Someone may have compromised
your debit card or duplicated your checks. Contact your bank
immediately.
4. You receive credit card statements from companies that you do
not use. Contact that financial instituation immediately as
someone may have been successfully approved for a credit card
with your information.
5. Credit denial letters from financial institutions that you
did not apply for. Someone may be applying for credit cards,
loans or lines of credit in your name. Contact the financial
institution immediately for more information.
6. Credit demand phone calls or letters from creditors demanding
payment on credit balances in your name. Someone may have
successfully obtained credit with your information and defaulted
on payment.
7. You notice your garbage being tampered with. Someone may be
sifting through your garbage looking for information that will
help them assume your identity.
Methods for catching attempted identity theft as soon as
possible are monitoring your mail for missing items, tracking
your financial transactions, and knowing at all times what your
balances are and what transactions are made (amounts and
locations).
Online security is also an important tool to fight against
personal id fraud as viruses, trojans, unsecure shopping sites
and spyware become more prevalent online. Visit
http://www.Identity-Theft-Tips.com for Onli
ne Security Tips & Tools that can help you protect yourself
online.
Identity theft is a very serious threat that can do severe
damage to your personal credit. For more information on what
Identity Theft is, what to watch for and methods to protect
yourself, visit Identity Theft
Tips for more information and resources.
You may not be able to protect yourself completely from Identity
Theft, but you can watch for it and notify your credit companies
quickly before too much serious damage has been done to your
good name.
copyright 2005 www.identity-theft-tip
s.com
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