How to Deal with Identity Theft?

You may have seen the funny commercials on television with people’s voices talking through another person’s body. Usually it is about some extravagant trip or some major purchase they made after stealing someone’s credit card or other financial information.

These commercials where a female is talking through a male and vice-versa are funny. However, the concept of identity theft is no laughing matter.

One of the main complaints of consumers is that the fight against identity theft could be stronger. However, in any case there are ways that this issue is currently being dealt with.

Today some of the ways this problem is handled includes using the following actions:

• Freezing of credit reports may be possible. However, this is only found in a handful of states. Otherwise, fraud alerts can be placed on your file for a minimum of 90 days.

• Free access to your credit report is required by law. You are entitled to one free copy of whatever information is provided by the three major bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

• You can keep tabs on your situation by continuing to monitor your credit. This can be done using a variety of services available today. (Try to use the free services before committing to any paid services.

• If you are using some sort of Identity Theft Protection service provided by a credit card company report the theft immediately. If necessary, report your credit cards and/or banking information lost or stolen.

• In certain situations you can request that certain negative marks caused by unauthorized transactions be removed. Usually you would write a professional letter to the appropriate agency or bureau.

• In the worse extreme cases you may have to call the police. At the very least you can place a report and this will be part of what can prove a theft if you are ever taken to court.

Prevention Tips

Whether you have ever been a victim of identity theft or not you can further prevent it. Make sure you shred any and all important documents with vital information such as bank account numbers or social security numbers on them.

Furthermore, only give your personal information to online vendors you trust. In the case of utility billing and other household bill statements, make sure you monitor those activities.

Be careful with telemarketers who ask you for personal information. They could be conning you. Whenever possible ask for verification if a payment is requested by phone.