My Identity Theft Info

All of us know the importance of credit report in our lives. Our credit report show our personal information such as your legal name, alias names, addresses, current and previous employers, and date of birth.

We also have that credit report summary showing the following:
 
-  Current and past credit status
-  Total number of open and closed accounts
-  If the balances of our accounts are current or delinquent
-  Public record information such as federal bankruptcy records local government court records, liens, judgments, and child support records (information that can stay in your record for up to 10 years)
-  Credit inquires that we use when applying for a credit card or loan
-  Detailed account history – very up to date information about your loan payments
-  Credit card debt and payment history
-  Credit score.

Your credit score is a number ranging from 330 to 830. The higher the number assigned to you, the better your credit is. It increases the chance of you obtaining a loan or credit account.

The Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax are major credit bureaus collect, maintain, and distribute our credit information.

Our credit report does not also end with our financial matters. We also use our credit report for a variety of purposes not related with mortgage and other loan applications.

Auto insurance companies often request us for copies of our credit reports as part of the process in applying for auto insurance. Our employers may also request for our credit reports as basis in deciding whom to hire for a specific position. Our credit report may also be the important link for us to know if we have become victim of identity theft!

Identity theft is a criminal act wherein our personal financial information, supposed to be confidential, are obtained through illegal means and used for unauthorized purchases and transactions.

The most common forms of identity theft are the credit card fraud, bank fraud, communications services, and fraudulent loans.

The audacity of an identity thief is shown in his/her use your personal information, which could be result to a financial disaster and a damage of reputation on your part. Falling victim to this harmful activity could impugn your financial reputation for many years to come.

There are a lot of thing you can do to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. This article focuses on obtaining and reviewing your credit report, quite similar to what we do when we perform network security assessments.

The information from our credit report reflect our credit and consumer habits. Unless you make efforts to obtain necessary credit reports, you may never know how credit worthy you is or not. Obtaining credit reports is also a way to check if you have fallen into the insidious identity theft crime.

Verifying and frequently checking your credit report is a good means to make sure no one has obtained your identity. You may think that it may not happen to you, but there is nothing wrong by being doubly sure. If ever there are evidences pointing to the fact you are being robbed of your identity, then you can quickly act upon it. Avoid major damage to your personal and financial reputation that took you so many years to establish.

Here are ways to check your credit and see if there are evidences of your credit account being used by identity theft:

1.  Carefully examine your credit report copy upon receipt. Look into the section dealing with inquiries against the report. If you do not know about this yet, well, every time you apply for a loan or credit card there is an inquiry initiated against your credit report.

You will recognize the inquiries against the report if you are the one who have applied for a loan using your credit account. However, if you notice certain entries you do not recognize, immediately notify the credit-reporting agency.

2.  If you notice errors, such as a bill paid off but still show as outstanding on the report, then notify the agency and request for it to be removed. You must follow up personally on these corrections and make sure that your specific request has been acted upon.

Be alert always and take the issue of identity theft as a serious threat to our good name. Make sure that your personal and financial information never get into the wrong hands. It is for the good future of your family, too.

To find more great Identity Theft info please visit:
www.MyIdentityTheftInfo.com

Are you aware of the present notorious crime in the United States of America and Canada? Until the present time, no other crime can be carried out with maniacal cruelty and audacity than identity theft.

It is now the fastest growing crime in America. In 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that 43% of all fraud complaints they received are actually identity theft.  By 2003, identity theft cases and incidents have already reached 9.9 million.

In the United States, for every five families, one fall victim to the notoriety and insidiousness of the identity thieves. It is quite truly hard to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft. Even with taking every precaution in the book, in order to safeguard your personal information, the identity thieves seem to be one-step ahead.

The truth is you can never be sure if the known measure you do to prevent falling victim to identity theft are effective. There is still a prevalent insecurity every time you use your credit card, write a check, sign up for magazines, order something over the phone or internet or use your PIN number.

Always, the possibility lurks that the information you are using will find its way exists that that information may get into the identity thieves. Just being aware of that fact and cautious about who you give your personal information to will put you far above the rest of the pack.

These crimes are estimated to have taken the average victim $500 and 30 hours to resolve. Some of the case starts from simple stolen credit cards to total identity kidnapping. These ugly and prevalent crimes are hard to prevent. There is also a difficulty to correct such cases.

More often, especially on felons convicted before identity theft became a federal law case, there are no recriminations felt.

Identity theft is one of the most insidious forms of white-collar crime. In a traditional fraud scheme, prospective victims are contacted directly by criminals who use lies and deception to persuade the victims to part with their money.

The crime does not require direct interaction between the criminal and the victim.  Identity theft is not a crime committed for its own sake. Criminals engage in identity theft to further and facilitate many other types of criminal offenses, including fraud.

The recent federal prosecutions show some of the many ways in which people can commit identity theft crime. The powerful criminal statute, identity theft offense (18 U.S.C. § 1028(a) (7)), and other federal criminal offenses.
 
The federal law against identity theft has not been possible until 1998 when exemplary cases of identity theft made it clear that the crime deserve a heavier sentence.

Now, there are a number of federal laws applicable to identity theft. Some of these are used for prosecution of identity theft offenses. Some are there to assist victims in repairing recouping their credit record and reputation.

The primary identity theft statute is 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a) (7) enacted on October 30, 1998. It became part of the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (Identity Theft Act). This was a solid support to strengthen the criminal offense of identity theft acts since the 18 U.S.C. § 1028 previously addressed only the fraudulent creation, use, or transfer of identification documents, and not the theft or criminal use of the underlying personal information.

To criminalize the fraud in connection with the unlawful theft and misuse of personal identifying information, the Identity Theft Act also added §1028(a) (7). Now,  regardless of whether the information appears or is used in documents this additional provision states that it is already unlawful for anyone who consciously transfer or use, without lawful authority the identification of another person.

The Identity Theft Act also made way for the review and amendment of Sentencing Guidelines and penalties imposed for each offense under Section 1028 by the United States Sentencing Commission.

These major steps and many others, by the Federal government demonstrate that now, the whole US regards identity theft as a serious crime problem. Further, it is also an indication that the Federal government, together with the States is already requiring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to fighting identity theft.

Since minute data shows that identity theft does not choose specific victims, even people who handle their personal data carefully are prone to become victims, federal prosecutors are now actively doing all means to combat it effectively. Throughout the country, the federal government assures that it will be a continuing campaign with close coordination with the FTC and other agencies.

To find more great Identity Theft info please visit:
www.MyIdentityTheftInfo.com

Ever wonder how identity theft occurs? It is actually quite fascinating, if it is not a very malicious and dangerous crime.

Identity theft occurs once a thief assumes another person’s identity by using confidential information supposed to be known exclusively by that person. The thief will commit fraud using the person’s name and important confidential information without the victim ever knowing about such transactions.

When the person or victim finally finds out about the crime committed, the thief is long gone in excruciating anonymity. They leave behind a ruined reputation, and a paper trail of ruined credit, debts and collectors.

Sometime the implications of identity theft usually cause the wrongful arrest of the victim. Why so? Because, without the identity theft angle in the case, it can be assumed that the victim was the one who committed the crimes because it was done under his/her name.

It is an alarming occurrence and usually, the victims would suffer the implications of the crime for years to come.

The past several years brought about an alarming wave of identity theft crimes in different areas dealing with personal information and economic transactions.

One of the hardest hit by identity theft crimes are the banks. Bank identity theft has been around long before there were credit card, social security, internet, job banks, airline and medical community identity thefts.

Bank identity theft occurrences vary. Some cases involve a thief continuously withdrawing huge amounts of cash from a bank account of another person until there is none left. Another case may involve the identity thief assuming the name and other personal information of another person then files for a bank loan.

Armed with personal information of another person, an identity thief can obtain a driver’s license. He/she can open new lines of credit and bank accounts even buy a car and get a mortgage. Bills and statements from these transactions are diverted to the thief’s temporary address.

They then bilk the victim’s credit line for all it is worth in cash advances, loans and credit card debt without intent to pay. All these occur with the thief hidden in a shroud of anonymity.

Bank identity theft and other forms of identity theft is a nightmare for millions of people who have become victims of such crime. Indeed, the figures of those victimized have reached into millions already. Sadly, though state and federal laws and stricter bank transactions have been imposed, the number of victims continues to rise each year.

When the walls come crashing in, you are left holding the bag and the thief is long gone. Financial recovery from identity theft can take years.

In United States and Canada, many people have reported unauthorized persons taking out funds form their bank or financial accounts. There are even worst cases when the victims report of an identity thief who has totally taken over their identities. With it, the thief have run up huge debts and committed crimes all under the name of the victim.

There was a notorious case of identity theft wherein the criminal, a convicted felon incurred more than $100,000 of credit card debt. Aside from this, the felon also obtained a federal home loan, bought homes, motorcycles, and handguns using the victim’s name.

With maniacal pride, he called his victim to taunt him. He declared that he could continue posing as the victim for as long as he wanted. During that time, identity theft was not yet a federal crime. Then, the thief filed for bankruptcy still using the victim’s name.

Very bitter was the fact that the criminal only served a brief sentence while the victim and his wife spent more than four years to restore their reputation and credit. They also spent more than $15,000 of their own money to win back their credit. The criminal did not even made restitution for all the danger he had caused.

The only positive thing that came out of this case and the others similar to this is when the Congress created a new federal offense against identity theft in 1998.

You can avoid being a victim of bank identity theft by identifying red flags that may indicate

Here are several red flags that indicate you may be a victim of identity theft:

1. There are bills for a credit card account you did not open.

2. There are notice charges, which you did not authorize on your credit card statement

3. No bills and credit card statements arrive on the days you expect them.

4. Unauthorized transfers or withdrawals on your bank statements show.

5. Notifications from collection agency about accounts you never opened.

6. Calls or notices from businesses about merchandise you did not buy.

7. Debts showing up on your credit reports that you did not file.

To find more great Identity Theft info please visit:
www.MyIdentityTheftInfo.com

Are you aware of identity theft and the danger it can bring to your life if you become one of its victims? Perhaps not yet. Do not think that your innocence regarding identity thefts subtle workings is a protection from being violated.

Identity theft is a malicious and vicious crime wave nowadays. It is but necessary that you be properly informed of its machinations and implication. You also need to be kept up to date of recent events and cases pertaining to such crime. Being informed and up to date is a step to prevent being attacked or being a victim of this crime.

There are many websites through out the Internet developed to give you needed information, data and updates regarding identity theft. These websites will tell you everything you have to know about identity thieves, how they operate, when and where they attack and what they usually do to carry out their malicious plan.

The information they share to the masses of internet users, who are usually the first target of this crime, are through articles concerning identity theft. In these articles, they explain the subtle machinations of identity thieves just to obtain strictly personal and confidential information about people.

Articles concerning identity thefts also give an account on how to prevent being victimized by identity thieves. There are also articles about the laws being passed against identity theft. There are also in-depth explanations of various identity theft cases already tried in court.

According to articles concerning identity thefts, the term identity theft is the co-option of another person’s personal and confidential information. Identity thieves go to great lengths to discover a person’s whole name, social security number, credit card number, passport and ATM card information. The persons whose personal information and identity they stole are usually clueless of this fraudulent activity until after a crime has been committed and they are deep in trouble because they are the assumed culprits.

Identity theft is a crime being committed by malicious and ingenious criminals. This crime takes on plenty of forms. It can also be conducted in many varying ways on different avenues. Though it uses different schemes, they are identified because of the wrongful acquisition of another person’s personal data through fraud or deception and typically for economic gain.

The Websites with articles concerning identity thefts explain why people need to take precautions against identity theft. 

Unlike fingerprints, which are solely yours and cannot be stolen by others, for their own gains, your personal data like Social Security number, bank account or credit card number, telephone number, and other valuable identifying data can really be stolen and used for the criminal’s own ends. If valuable data of yours fall into wrong hands, you can become a victim of persons who would like to profit at your expense.

Some articles concerning identity theft also share particular tactics being employed by identity thieves just to get hold and access other person’s personal information.  There are also news accounts on the incidents wherein identity theft may occur.

An example is the articles on credit reports containing serious errors that might cause consumers to be denied car loans, credit, credit cards and even mortgages. Another example is a recent article concerning identity theft warning consumers of the possibility of “huge victimization” within the next two years.

These reports all bear serious warnings to be extra careful in monitoring all financial transactions for unexplained account activity, withdrawals, or fund transfers.
 
There are also ample information about the nature and extent of identity theft activities as reported by victims.

There are also articles about good news on the fight against identity thefts. There is the article account about the Fair Credit Report Act. According to the article regarding this matter, the FCA  requires credit-reporting agencies to fix credit card mistakes.

There are also legal websites that will give access to users legal articles concerning identity theft cases. They give brisk analysis and specific data about trying identity theft cases in formal legal proceedings.

Here are other areas where identity theft can occur:

-  medical transactions
-  bank transactions
-  mails and e-mails
-  credit card transactions
-  internet transactions

Many articles concentrate on the particular areas where there are risks of identity thefts. There are also articles concerning investigations and statistics of identity theft. Steps in proper prevention and warning about identity theft are also shared in most articles.

It is but wise for Internet users to read up and start feeding yourself with important stuff about identity theft.

To find more great Identity Theft info please visit:
www.MyIdentityTheftInfo.com

How will you feel if you will be arrested for a crime that you have now committed? How will you feel if you will be receiving a call from one of your creditors and telling you to pay your credit amounting to a particular amount, whereas you do not even use your credit card yet for that particular month?

Maybe you will answer those questions when you become a victim of identity theft.

Identity theft is said to be a “perfect crime”. Everybody can be a victim. Learning about the crime is the best thing that you can do right now. Remember, there are millions of victims every year.

If you have not become a victim of identity theft, then do not take any risk. Keep in mind the fact that it is nearly impossible to reinstate your life once a thief takes over your identity.

Identity theft refers to a type of crime, which someone portrays himself as another person by using the latter’s identifying information for various reasons. It may be for the purpose of a criminal activity or a financial gain.

The data that may be used includes the victim’s complete name, date of birth, and an array of closely related information like social security number, passport, license number, and credit card number.

The thief can use any of the stolen information to take over the financial accounts of his victim (bank and credit accounts), apply for loans, and purchase important items and services.

He can also avail medical benefits, education assistance, and personal pensions by creating or forging birth certificates or immigration documents, which can be presented to the agency who gives such assistance.

Perpetrators engage in this crime wants to either mislead law enforcers as to whom the real perpetrator is, or hide from the pursuit of the authorities. Others want to have control over publicly financed benefits to which they would not be entitled if they signed up under their original name. Some uses identity theft to facilitate large crimes like human trafficking and terrorism acts.

Victims almost extend across all ages. According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 29 percent of identity theft complaints are from individuals of age 18-29, 25 percent from individuals of age 30-39, 21 percent from individuals of age 40-49, 13 percent from individuals of age 50-59, and the remaining 10 percent from individuals of age 60 and above. Usual targets of thieves are average-incoming individuals and those having a good credit rating.

Corporations, small enterprises, and financial institutions can also be potential victims of identity. Thieves can disguised themselves as top executives of their target company then making some huge withdrawal of funds, which can result to financial loss, damage to reputation and credibility, and possible closure of operation.

Modern identity theft is committed by means of gaining access to electronic data systems, forging identification documents of the victim (birth certificate or citizenship documents), getting new credit accounts, and charging existing accounts improperly.

The advancement of technology also enables perpetrators with computer hacking skills to infiltrate low-restricted public database and possibly cracking vital government database system.

Protecting yourself from identity theft is the best way to avoid the possible aftermaths you may experience. Remember that perpetrators do not select victims. Celebrities, business executives, politicians, and ordinary citizens in varying ages can be a potential victim.

You cannot totally protect yourself from these thieves, but you can take measures by making yourself less attractive as a potential victim and hiding all the possible sources of your personal information. Here are some things that you can keep in mind:

•  When making transactions, always indicate your identification numbers such as social security number, make sure that it is required. Do not give it unless it is necessary.

•  Destroy unwanted previous credit card or bank statements. You can either burn it or have yourself a mail shredder. Shred any sensitive documents first before throwing it to the garbage can.

•  Do not place any other information beside your name and address in your checks.

•  Carry personal cards that are only necessary and will be used for transactions for a particular day. Once lost, it can be possibly found by others and use it to steal your identity.

•  Review your credit reports regularly. Make sure that you know all the transactions that you have made and look for any possible unauthorized transactions made to your creditors.

•  Never divulge personal information on the phone. One typical modus operandi of thieves is through disguising themselves as a representative of a financial institution. He will then offer that you can update your records with them.

It is possible that they are recording your conversation and eventually get all the personal information from you.

•  Always clear your mailbox. If you are on a trip, ask your neighbor to clear your mailbox for you.

The threat is there. All you have to do is to have knowledge about this crime and protect yourself against it. It is better to be safe than sorry.

To find more great Identity Theft info please visit:
www.MyIdentityTheftInfo.com