What is theft of identity?

Identity theft occurs when a thief assumes someone else's identity to commit fraud in the name of this person without their knowledge. At a time when the victim catches up, the thief is usually gone long ago and left a trail of destroyed loans, debts and collectors. In some cases, identity theft may even lead to an incorrect arrest of the victim. A thief, armed with his personal data, can get a driving license, open new credit and bank accounts, even buy a car and get a mortgage. Accounts and statements from these transactions are diverted to a temporary address of the thief and take up your credit line for all that is worth in money, loans and credit card debt without intending to pay. When you hit the walls, you held the bag on the left and the thief was long gone. Financial recovery from identity theft may take years.

In today's society of plastic cash, online data transactions and mining, almost everyone is a potential victim of identity theft. However, the Federal Commission (FTC) suggests that they existthings you can do to minimize the risk:

• Do not give personal information if you have not started contact. Thieves can represent as representatives of legitimate companies with which you do business and ask for "verification of personal data". In “verification” you actually give it to the caller. Instead, tell the caller that you are busy and you will need to call them back and then ask for a name. Do not use the phone number of the calling number. Use your statements or telephone book to get the company number and then verify the caller and its purpose.

• Place passwords on bank accounts, credit card accounts and other credit lines. Use something other than a dull social security or mother's maiden name that protects against identity theft.

• Keep your social security card in a safe place such as a safety box or home safe. Should not betransmitted in your wallet if you don't need it. The Social Security Card in bad hands is still facilitating identity theft.

• Avoid giving out the social security number if it is not necessary to obtain a loan, loan or other legitimate transaction. If you are asked for your social security number, find out why it is needed and ask if it is legally up to you to provide it to accept the goods or services you require. In most cases it is not and can be replaced by another number.

• Do not provide personal information to websites that do not use SSL to transfer information (Secure Sockets Layer). Secure sites are recorded http with and encrypt all information between your computer and the site. This site should also have prpolitika ivacy that it states how your personal data will be used. If the site shares your information with unnamed "third parties", you have no guarantee that “thirdparties “protects your information from theft of identity.

• Use "Confets" Shredder for all paper and plastic that shows your personal information. This includes a statement, a credit card request, an unsolicited mail that has your name and address, and expired cards of all kinds, including not only credit cards, but also insurance cards, medical cards and even library cards. If you receive a subscription to the magazine, remove the post for Shredder before ejecting magazines.

Although these and other preventive measures can help reduce the risk of identity theft, vigilance can also go a long way to protect. Follow your monthly billing and bank statements. Missing statements may be a sign that someone has changed your billing address without your knowledge. Even a junk mail can be said. If you suddenly get more catalogs or brochures for products you have never purchased, it might be a sign that someone else uses your JMedo to buy these products.

Experts also regularly recommend checking your credit report. In the United States, the law allows each person one copy every year from each credit agency: Experian, Equifax and Transunion. You can get all three free credit messages at once or get one copy of free every four months rotating agencies. These three agencies were set up by a hub to serve the public at the annual conventitreport.com. This is the only website approved by FTC to obtain free credit messages and has no strings connected. If you have a reason to believe that someone can use your personal identity theft and want to read more, check out FTC's TheED: Fight against Identity Theft.