Identity Theft Prevention
Identity Theft is on the rise, affecting almost 10 MILLION victims in 2008 - a 22% increase from 2007. It has been named one of the fastest growing crimes in the country today; and as the economy worsens, it is likely to affect millions more this year. Is your Identity protected?
When Identity Theft occurs, a total stranger can spend every dollar you have and max out all your existing credit cards within only a matter of hours!
This same "stranger" can then use your identity to obtain more credit cards, apply for loans, open bank accounts, rent cars, sign-up for expensive cell phone packages, and the list goes on and on -- they could even commit crimes while impersonating you.
And just as alarming is the fact: If identity theft happens to you or your children, you may not know it for weeks, months, or even years!
What are some of the ways your Identity can be stolen?
Identity thieves are becoming more and more creative - and brazen. Constant practice of their "trade" provides them with a quick, easy income at your expense. Every time law enforcement finds a way to stop one avenue of vulnerability, thieves discover another way to get your personal information.
Ladies carry a lot of information in their purse; criminals know this and a large purse is a red flag to any identity thief. They love to find cash, credit cards, and checkbooks all in one place. Men are also targets with a wallet full of cash, credit cards, and a drivers license.
Your mail contains information about you that you don't even want your family or friends to know. Why would you leave it so easily available to a total stranger? An unlocked mailbox is a favorite and very lucrative avenue to collect your personal identity information. And this is one of the easiest holes in your defense to fix -- with a Locking Mailbox.
Identity Theft can be devastating.
Once your information has been stolen, it can leave you in a wake of devastation that can cost $1000s of dollars and take months or even years to fix. It can prevent you from obtaining new credit cards or loans, and identity theft victims usually end up with higher interest rates because their credit rating has been so damaged.
Bad credit can even prevent you from renting a home or apartment for your family; buying a new car; getting a cell phone; or even getting a job! In addition, when this type of crime happens to us, there is the feeling of anger and stress, and the sense of vulnerability and a fear that it could happen all over again --- which can be as hard to repair as your credit rating.
Of course there is also the Internet. Cyber crimes are growing at an alarming rate! Protecting your identity online takes extra software and a personal vigilance and awareness that you MUST maintain at all times.
You may know 10 or 20 ways to protect your identity, but we bet you don't know all "50 ways to Prevent Identity Theft."
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