ArticlesReader.com Menu
Newest Articles
Most Viewed Articles
ArticlesReader.com RSS
Submit Article
Login
Signup
Search the articles

Articles Main Categories
Advice
Animals
Automobiles
Business
Career
Communications
Computer Programming
Computers
Entertainment
Environment
Family
Fashion
Finance
Food
Health & Medical
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet Business
Internet Marketing
Legal
Leisure & Recreation
Marketing
Other
Politics
Reference & Education
Religion
Self Improvement
Sports
Technology & Science
Travel
Writing
Subscribe
Receive alert message from us when new articles submitted to our site for free.

Enter your name

Enter your email

Syndicate

















Related Products
Home::Credit

Preventing Identity Theft And Credit Card Fraud: How To Protect Your Credit Information

Author : Ed Vegliante
According to a recent poll by Experian, one in five Americans has reported they have experienced some form of identity theft. If it happens to you, and your identity is stolen, you might be in for a lengthy hassle that could cost you your credit rating and leave a permanent blight on your financial records.



How Credit Card Theft Starts



Thieves start by targeting your personal information: Social security numbers, bank statements, tax reports, credit card debit information and passwords, or even your checkbook. Don’t leave this valuable information lying around at your office, or in your car. Be aware that you are leaving a door open for anyone to get access to your bank account or credit card information. Question anyone who asks for your credit information, including employers; find out what their privacy policy is and get a copy of it. Shred all documents no matter how insignificant they may seem to you. In addition, don’t ever lend your credit card to ANYONE, including family members, unless you are willing to take on their debt personally. Many family arguments have ended up in court with bitter feelings from one time casual credit card or debit card lending that got out of hand. When you apply for a credit card, be certain that their online application is secured, and the privacy notice is posted.



Spotting Signs of Identity Theft



* If you’ve frequently been missing your credit card bill, or your mail keeps getting “lost” contact the post office immediately. If you live in an apartment complex , find out from your superintendent or manager if you can change your mailbox key. A missing bill could mean that an identity theft has occurred and the billing address has been changed.



* If you’re suddenly getting credit cards (not just a credit card offer) from companies that you didn’t apply. Call these companies and find out if you are the account holder; if not verbally cancel the account and follow up with a written letter.



* If you’re being denied credit, or your credit card terms are suddenly being changed to higher interest terms, for no obvious reason.



* You’re suddenly getting phone calls and letters from creditors about purchases you did not make.



How to Protect Your Credit Information



The best protection is constant awareness of the use of your credit information. Choose your passwords carefully. Avoid using any easily available information, such as your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SS#, or your phone number. If you must use this type of identifier in opening an account, request a password change immediately after opening the account before it slips your mind. Secure your credit information at all times, even around your house--if you’re having work done on your home, or if you’re having a big party, or your roommate brings home guests. Don’t give out any information unless you know exactly how it will be used and by whom.



The Best Defense for Your Credit Security:



Stay vigilant. Review your credit card statements every month, and question any suspected purchases by contacting your credit card issuer directly. If you suspect an unauthorized purchase, send a letter to your credit card issuer detailing the item in question and any reference numbers. The credit card issuer is required to investigate your claim and report back to you, in writing, of their findings. You can also request a free annual monitoring report from each of the major consumer reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. A recent amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that these credit reporting companies provide these reports to you at your request, every 12 months.



It’s your credit. Protect it!



Copyright 2005 Ed Vegliante.


Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com





Ed Vegliante is the owner of www.credit-card-surplus.com , a well organized credit card directory enabling the user to compare and apply for a variety of credit credit card offers. Find links to secure online credit card applications.





Spam emails More free articles

Related articles


  1. How Do I Establish A Good Line of Credit?
  2. A Debt Mentality
  3. Are You Worried About Credit Card Debt
  4. Say Cheese
  5. Better the Devil You Know
  6. Paying your credit card on time
  7. Did Your Credit Score Today?
  8. Free Credit Reports: Get Yours Today!
  9. Your Consumer Rights
  10. Building Good Business Credit After Bad Credit
  11. Online, Phone, U.S. Mail or In-Person: Where is Your Credit Card and Personal Identify Safest?
  12. How To Boost Your Credit Score
  13. Balance Transfers Can Help You Stop Putting Money Down The Drain!
  14. Shoppers Beware - 'Tis The Season
  15. New Law Provides Free Annual Credit Report
  16. Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Your Credit Report
  17. Tired Of Being Broke?...Learn How To Force Banks To Give You Money!
  18. Ways to Look Good without Selling Your Soul to the Credit Card Sharks
  19. Credit Report And Correction Techniques
  20. Ten Steps To Building A Good Credit History
  21. First Major Regulatory and Legislative Victory of 2005 for Creditors and Consumers
  22. When You Are Eligible For A Free Credit Report
  23. 10 Ways To Protect Your Financial Identity Being Used For Someone Elses Shopping Spree
  24. Credit Cards, Merchant Accounts, and Your Bottomline
  25. Fun with Credit Cards
More related feeds
Free Isn’t “Free” When It Comes to Protecting Your Identity
LifeLock’s Identity Theft Prevention services can help you protect your identity and prevent identity theft in six valuable ways. 1. Fraud Alerts - A Fraud alert is a “flag” placed on your credit report that notifies a lender that they ...

12 Essential Security Tools for Your Computer
Nowadays, identity theft is a major problem on internet. With increase in e-commerce, online buying and credit card usage on internet, protection against identity theft is crucial to protect your identity and personal information on ...

ID Patrol GiveAway
At least, they say, if you use your airline booking number and credit card for identification, if the machine has been compromised and your personal information is swiped, you can call the credit card company and put their anti-fraud ...

Stop Identity Theft Online with Credit Report Alerts
Internet shopping and buying online is a risky business if you do not try and protect your identity. Take note that about 70% of all losses from credit card transactions on the Internet last year were due to criminals and fraud. ...

Real Estate Fraud - how to protect your property!
Always store personal information, including your birth certificate, Social Insurance Number card, bank account numbers and credit card details, in a secure place that others cannot access. Never carry your birth certificate or SIN card ...

Preventing Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud: How to Protect ...
... experienced some form of identity theft. If it happens to you, and your identity is stolen, you might be in for a lengthy hassle that could cost you your credit rating and leave a permanent blight on your financial records. How [. ...

Keeping Identities Safe From Fraud
"This is a very powerful way for consumers to cut the risk of becoming an identity theft victim," Mr. Mitic says. "Also, you can freeze your credit report so that no lender can access it without calling and getting your permission. ...

The Government Keeps Losing Laptops With Sensitive Info
While you may not be able to stop government carelessness, you can protect yourself against ID theft. • Shred credit card information or any document with your Social Security number before throwing it away. • Make lists of your credit ...

The Latest Lifelock Promotion Code
Government figures show that over 30 000 of those 1 million customers would normally be expected to become a victim of identity theft. How does Lifelock work ? Lifelock works by placing fraud alerts on your credit files on your behalf. ...

Using Life Lock Every Time
Use life lock mean to watch over identity from fraud, if you still to belittle that thing, I hope you must be careful in use credit card or need financial another. Because thief there everywhere. And you must always protect your ...

 


 

2007 articlesreader.com - All Rights Reserved