How to Recover Your Stolen Identity

How to Recover Your Identity

"How to Recover Your Identity

Recently, a co-worker of mine mentioned that one of his friends recently recovered his stolen identity. Astonished, I asked how long the recovery process took. "Only two years" he replied.
Compared to my own six year nightmare "only" maybe appropriate. However, like most victims of identity theft, he probably thought "when". As in, "when will this nightmare end, and when will I get my life back?"
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a consumer nonprofit organization. They have reported that victims spend on average 175 hours while attempting to recover their identity, often over a period of several years. Then, factor in out of pocket expenses, (usually over $1,500 according to the FTC) and recovery gets even more painful.
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How do you restore a stolen identity? What are the steps involved?
Generally, you start by filing a police report. At the same time you are at the police station, go ahead and obtain a police report on yourself. That report doesn't mean other law enforcement agencies have been contacted - you should do a complete search of local and federal law enforcement databases too find out if anything else, including criminal activity exists on your identity. Many unsuspecting victims have been arrested for crimes they didn't commit!
You're also going to need the police report you filed to contact all of the different agencies and organizations, including the Social Security Administration, The Federal Trade Commission, all of your financial institutions, the 3 major credit bureaus, the Passport Office,The Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Post Office . All of these places must be sent a fraud notification alert. Regarding your financial institutions, notify all of them to cancel your credit cards and close your bank accounts. Determine from your bank if there has been any suspicious activity, such as accounts tampered with or opened fraudulently. Open new bank accounts with password verification, and any other fraud protection your particular bank may offer.
Know your rights. Obtain a credit report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1992, you must be told not only what's in your file but if that information is being used against you. The Federal Trade Commission recently expanded the rights available to victims of identity theft, including your right to get negative information due to fraud blocked from your records.
Make sure that your credit report at each of the 3 major credit bureaus reflects the identity theft and gets flagged with a fraud alert. Many victims have received assurances that the matter would be resolved, however months and sometimes years later, the credit bureaus have not cleared their records. Once a negative gets put on your record, it seems very difficult to get the credit bureaus to remove it, in spite of the countless documentation you provide to them. As a victim myself, I sent documentation including police reports to all three credit bureaus every month over a period of several years! But it must be done. Negative entries can affect you well into the future when buying a house, car or any other big ticket item. Constant follow up is critical. That goes for all the organizations but especially the credit bureaus. Be diligent until the matter gets resolved. Getting a lawyer isn't a bad idea if your problem is particularly difficult.
Avoid "credit repair companies". No matter what they advertise, there's usually nothing they can do to help you with identity theft. Some agencies even offer to help you apply for credit under a new identity. Hello? When trying to eliminate fraud from your record you don't want to create more fraud!
Advise the utility companies of the theft. It's not just bank accounts and credit cards. Many identity thieves commit fraud by opening telephone accounts, purchasing cable television or establishing credit with the gas & electric companies, in the hopes it will go unnoticed for as long as possible.
Identity theft can be a shattering experience mentally and emotionally - a total nightmare. Victims often feel violated. Often victims discover that the thief was a family member or close friend. It's not the victim's fault of course but the feelings remain. A network of support groups and counselors exists if you need it. If necessary get counseling. Don't let this crime ruin your life!
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The road back from identity theft can take years, be costly, and cause victims much stress and pain. But follow the steps laid out here, and believe that the nightmare will end...the nightmare WILL end."

Tag: How to Recover Your Stolen Identity

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft


Identity Theft is a real and growing problem in the US. But, what is identity theft exactly? Basically, identity theft is when someone uses your social security number, your bank credit card number, your driver's license number or any other form of identity without your knowledge or permission. Usually their intent is to obtain credit or funds in your name.




Many people have fallen victim to identity theft through many different means. Some of these ways are easily preventable due to their common sense obvious nature. Other ways identities are stolen are more dubious and discreet.

So, the question becomes, how can you protect yourself from someone stealing your identity?

To protect yourself from identity theft, the first thing you should do when considering how to divulge information about your identity to someone you do not know or may not trust is to use your common sense. Never make one-sided assumptions or take things for granted where your identity is concerned.

Credit card company statements and bank statements you receive in the mail contain your account information including your account number. Any of these items need to be shredded with an inexpensive shredder you can buy at any office supply store. Do not throw credit card statements, old credit cards or bank statements, etc. in the trash as that presents an easy way for someone going through the trash to steal your account information and use it as if they were you.

Another thing you can do to protect yourself against credit card fraud and unauthorized credit card usage is to sign the back of your card as "Check ID". If a store clerk asks to see your card, he or she will check the signature on the back and compare it with some other form of ID you have. This safeguard will not work where a purchase can be automatically completed (like at a gas pump).

When you are buying items at a store or withdrawing money from a bank or ATM machine using your ATM debit card always protect the visibility of your PIN number as you punch it in.

Do not carry your social security card with your number on it in your wallet. Keep your social security card or anything with your social security number on it in a safe place where no one has access to it but you. If you must dispose of anything that has your social security number on it, do not forget to shred it.

When online, do not open files sent to you by strangers or even files that are from someone you know but were not expecting to receive any from them. Do not click on hyperlinks or download programs from people you do not know either. Opening a computer file from an unknown source could expose your system to a computer virus, a Trojan or spyware. These types of programs could be ones that could log your keystroke information containing your credit card numbers, passwords or other sensitive information as you type it in.

If you use Ebay or Paypal, read the company website policies concerning how they handle communication to you about your account information. Never trust an email you may receive out of nowhere from Ebay or Paypal asking you to "update your account information" as this is more than likely a ploy to steal that information and use it illegally.

Use a firewall program and a router while you are online if you have high speed internet that leaves your computer connected to the internet 24/7. The router and the firewall program both make it much more difficult for a hacker to see your computer's actual IP address which means that you have a better chance of safely sending and receiving sensitive information over the internet. Windows XP operating system SP2 has a built in firewall which you should make sure is enabled in your settings.

When you shop online, always use a secure browser and shop from a web site that offers secure transactions when shopping online. Most browsers in use today have this protection feature including the popular Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers. Secure website shopping carts you visit will show up as "https://thestoresdomain.com/" in the web browser address bar.

Practice keeping your computer clean from spyware or Trojan programs that log keystroke information by using virus protection software and spyware monitoring and removal software. These programs should be updated regularly, and updates for you're operating system and other software programs should be installed regularly to protect against the compromise of your computer files and password information. Ideally, virus protection software should be set to update itself frequently. The Windows XP operating system will update itself automatically if you enable this feature, which you should.

The consequences of identity theft once thieves have your information can be quite severe and range from going on a spending spree to taking out auto loans in your name. For these reasons and others, it is a good idea to monitor your credit report periodically. A credit report can be obtained from Trans Union Corp. New laws have made it easy for you to get at least one free credit report that you can use to see if accounts have been opened in your name.


tags: identity theft protection

Stolen identity, legal nightmare - 07/05/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Stolen identity, legal nightmare - 07/05/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Stolen identity, legal nightmare
A Hollywood woman finds that victims of identity theft can be treated like criminals themselves.
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD
MARSHA HALPER/MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Jennifer Mehu, a law-abiding school teacher, has struggled to undo the damage to her finances and reputation after impostors committed crimes using her stolen identity.
On the Web How to deter, detect and defend against identity theft
Jennifer Mehu was enjoying a quiet Friday night in front of her television when a team of Broward Sheriff's Office deputies pounded on her door.
''There was a knock on the door -- one of those hard, scary knocks,'' said Mehu, 32, of Hollywood. 'My daughter said, `Mommy, there's police at the door.' She was afraid -- she's 10 years old.''
Mehu asked the deputies why they were there: 'I said, `Someone has stolen my identity. Is this related to that?' ''
Their response: Find someone to sit with your daughter and accompany us to our substation -- either willingly or face arrest.
BSO confirms the basic outlines of Mehu's account, but makes no apologies. The agency said its deputies were just doing their job, investigating a crime reported by a business.
''That's part of the tragic side of identity theft. We have no way of knowing whether it's being committed by the actual person,'' said spokesman Elliot Cohen. ``Until someone starts asking the questions, there's no way of knowing.''

LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention service is the only of its kind to offer a $1 million guarantee.

STOP IDENTITY THIEVES NOW!

Until recently, Mehu's only brush with the law was an Arizona traffic ticket. But on June 8 around 9:45 p.m., the kindergarten teacher found out what many victims of identity theft already know: Often, they're the ones treated like criminals.
More than 15 million Americans experienced some sort of identity theft last year, said Jay Foley, executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a California-based nonprofit that helps people who have had their identities stolen.
''It is the most common crime,'' Foley said. ``We get lots of cases where a person is being pursued by law enforcement for things they have no knowledge of. It's not only unfair, it's offensive.''
Victims of ID theft generally don't end up dealing with police for their own suspected crimes, Foley said. But in Mehu's case, crimes were committed in her name, and she had no choice, since investigators found her. Mehu had to prove that she was not the criminal.
''In her case, it was criminal identity theft,'' Foley said. ``This automatically puts you on the wrong side the law.''
Law enforcement is obligated to investigate the crimes -- and the person in whose name they were committed, Foley said.
Once the I.D. theft victim is cleared of criminal wrongdoing, it is their responsibility to work on clearing their name.

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UNDOING THE DAMAGE
The victims are forced to spend countless hours straightening out the financial mess left by the people who stole their identity, Foley said, and they have to endure the humiliation of being suspected of criminal activity.
''Identity theft is the 21st century bank robbery,'' said BSO spokesman Cohen. ``You never have to see them, you never have to come into contact with them. It's an epidemic.''
Mehu's problems started last August, when her handbag was stolen from her car at Walker Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale. She kept her purse in her car because it had been stolen once before from her classroom filing cabinet.
She filed a police report, but it was soon apparent that her ID was being used all over Broward. When she tried to get a new driver's license, she found that someone had been to the agency, which issued a license in Mehu's name -- with the impostor's picture.
The problems began piling up.
Someone received a speeding ticket in her name.
Soon it became clear that people were opening checking accounts in Mehu's name, and writing bad checks.
''I started getting notices that I owe this bank, that bank,'' Mehu said. ``They open checking accounts and they write all these humongous bills with my name and address. SunTrust, Wachovia, Bank Atlantic . . . and banks I've never heard of.''
The worst was yet to come.
In the episode that led to her interrogation by BSO detectives, Mehu was suspected of trying to pass bad checks at a Tamarac Publix.
A woman who had tried to cash a check aroused the suspicions of alert Publix employees, who confiscated her ID. The woman left without the ID, and Publix called BSO, which investigated and issued a warrant for Mehu's arrest.
Mehu had seen police interrogations on TV shows. But she had no idea how frightening the real thing would be.
The night they came to question her, a male detective watched as she got dressed. Once Mehu's sister arrived to care for her daughter, Aysis, Mehu was instructed to follow the cops in her own car.
They sandwiched her vehicle between two patrol cars on the drive from Hollywood to Tamarac.
Mehu was so frightened that she dialed 911, to make sure the deputies were legitimate. While she was on the phone with dispatchers, the deputies escorting her called her and told her to stop calling 911, because they were law enforcement officers.
At the station, they showed her different identifications they had confiscated with her name on them.
''It was so scary,'' Mehu said. ``It was just the most horrifying, terrifying experience. It was a little box of a room, with a table and a chair, and a clock. It was padded. There were chains on the floor.''
Eventually, it became clear to detectives that she wasn't the person they were looking for, Mehu said. After about 40 minutes, they let her go, telling her the matter was closed.
But Mehu hasn't forgotten it.
''I don't know what to do to get this out of my head,'' she said.
It's difficult to determine how much the crime cost her, Mehu said. Its main toll has been psychological, although she has spent hours contacting credit bureaus and the check-clearing bureaus.
BURDEN ON THE VICTIM
She has had to put a special flag on her driver's license, so that if she's ever stopped by police, they must ask her for two forms of identification.
She makes sure her Florida I.D., voter registration card and insurance card are quickly accessible. She has applied for a passport. She has signed up for a credit monitoring service for $10 a month. She no longer carries a purse.
''It's sad. I love purses. Now, I just carry a wallet that I can keep in my pocket,'' Mehu said.
Her credit is such a mess that she is afraid to apply for a credit card.
And it has been embarrassing.
Mehu learned through the Fort Lauderdale detective investigating the theft of her handbag that one of the people posing as her was a man dressed as a woman.
Mehu was mortified.
She worries that whatever criminal mischief the I.D. thieves are up to will come back to haunt her on the job, where a clean criminal background is a career requirement.
''I'm scared this might damage my career as a teacher,'' Mehu said. ``I'm at a loss, but everywhere I turn, people say, identity theft is very difficult to solve. It seems like the people who are victims, everything comes back to them.''

Tags: Stolen identity, legal nightmare, identity theft prevention

ID Theft Protection Policy

ID Theft Protection Policy

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. It affects nearly 20,000 per day! And while it is an easy crime for identity theives to get away with, and the penalties are not necessarily severe, it can hurt the victim in many ways.

Many people are victims of identity theft and don't even know it yet! Check your credit report regularly and carefully for any sign of identity theft or fraud. (It's a good idea anyway to check your credit report for any errors that may affect your credit.) ID theft hurts! As a victim your credit is destroyed, you may have trouble getting a job, and credit and insurance will cost you much more - if you can qualify.

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It has been estimated that identity theft victims spend as much as 600 hours over many years, on average, to clean up the mess caused by identity theives. Don't be a victim - be proactive in protecting yourself against identity theft.
Shred all junk mail, and any other correspondence that contains any personal information - even if it is only your name and address. That's all a thief needs to start stealing your identity.

Get an ID theft protection policy such as LifeLock. It is the only ID theft protection of its kind to offer a $1 million guarantee. LifeLock has been touted on many news programs (CNN, MSNBC) and by journalists (The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and others) recently as being one of the best methods you can use to protect your personal information from theft.

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identity theft prevention

Statistics On Identity Theft

Statistics On Identity Theft

"Statistics on Identity Theft

More than ever before, the information explosion, aided by an era of easy credit, has led to the growth of a crime that feeds on the inability of consumers to control who has access to their sensitive personal information and how it is safeguarded. That crime is identity theft. The information below should be viewed as "what is known at this time" and not as the final word about identity theft crimes. Identity theft remains the #1 concern among consumers. Their fears are not unfounded. The facts about identity theft speak for themselves.

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Statistics on identity theft reported by the Federal Trade Commission indicate that for the 4th year in a row identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints. Identity theft accounted for more than 42 percent of all complaints lodged in the FTC Consumer Sentinel database in 2004, an increase of 40 percent over 2002 statistics.

The Number of Victims and Types of Fraud:
According to the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Survey Report, nearly 10 million American consumers discovered that their personal information had been used to open fraudulent bank, credit card, cell phone or utility accounts, or used to commit other crimes.
More than 50 percent of all identity theft victims were the victims of credit card and other types of credit account fraud. New credit account fraud, where an ID thief opens up new accounts in your name, and other frauds were estimated to have victimized 3.23 million people.
Approximately 28 percent of Identity Theft victims whose theft involved the misuse of an existing credit card said that their credit cards had either been lost or stolen.

The Cost of Identity Theft:
Identity Theft costs approximately $53 billion. That means that the total loss to business and individual victims for all types of reported identity theft, both new account and existing account frauds, is almost $53 billion dollars annually. More specifically, business victims experienced a total loss of $47.5 billion or an average of $4,800 per business victim per year. Individual victims account for a total loss of $5 billion and $500 per victim annually.
Americans spent 300 million hours resolving issues related to identity theft. Between individual and business identity theft victims--an average of 30 - 60 hours per victim was spent on handling various matters related to identity theft including new accounts, existing account and other frauds.

The Perpetrators of Identity Theft:
Victims generally know the thieves who steal their precious personal information. In more than 25 percent of reported identity theft cases, the victims know or are related to the identity thief. Think twice about the people with whom you share personal information.
Most identity theft cases start in the workplace. Studies show as much as 70 percent of all identity theft cases are an inside job--perpetrated by a co-worker or by an employee of a business that you patronize. Perhaps the greatest surprise is that a large number of the identities were stolen not by an employee -- but by the business owner.

References: For further data and statistical information read the Federal Trade Commissions 2003 Identity Theft Survey Report.

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Tags: statistics on identity theft

Free Credit Report

Free Credit Report

Checking your credit report is an essential element of credit repair, but also for uncovering identity theft, as well. Did you know that most credit reports contain at least one error? If you are thinking about applying for a loan, mortgage, or other credit account, check your credit report firsts to be certain that it is in the best shape it can be.

Free credit report is available at AnnualCreditReport.com. This site was setup when the government mandated one free credit report each year from each of the credit agencies must be offered to every consumer. Check you credit report for errors, omissions, and any sign of credit fraud. Dispute any negative and erroneous item immediately. Each credit report will spell out exactly what you must do to make a dispute.

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Don't wait to be denied credit - check your free credit report now!

Tags: free credit report, identity theft prevention,

WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville WDBJ 7 | Scam Alert 7 - Identity Theft Protection

WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville WDBJ 7 Scam Alert 7 - Identity Theft Protection: "The best tool known for cutting down on identity theft is education. If consumers are aware that they may be putting their personal information at risk, they are less likely to fail victim to scammers.
Whether it's by phone, through the mail or over the Internet, if a financial opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That was one of the messages Attorney General Bob McDonnell shared with the newly-formed Financial Crimes Task Force. There are plenty of anti-scammer laws on the books in Virginia, but the new joint effort is focused on coordinating the investigations and better determining whose jurisdiction the crimes fall under.
Even with the new regional task force in place, cracking down on the scammers is extremely difficult. McDonnell says, 'Some of these scams only stay on the web for a day or two then they change the e-mail and they change the website they're on to some new scam. So that's why it's a challenge for law enforcement to ever pin these people down because they're truly the epitome of a moving target.'
Protecting your personal data is key to avoiding identity theft. "

Don't be a victim! There are proactive methods of protecting your personal information and avoiding identity theft. One of the best ways that we have found is LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention . LifeLock stops identity theft before it has a chance to happen, and they are the only service of its kind to offer a $1 million guarantee. Featured in coverage in The Wall Street Journal and Chicago Tribune, and on MSNBC, CNN, and many other national news outlets, everyone is talking about LifeLock and getting protection against identity theft.

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Tags: identity theft protection and prevention

How LifeLock Protects Your Identity

How LifeLock Protects Your Identity
LifeLock is an amazing service that protects consumers and businesses from identity theft before it happens! We found a very good description of how it works at Identity Guard Central.
"How It Works
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
When you become a LifeLock client, they set alerts on all of your credit reports (there are more than just the "big three"). These credit report alerts will usually be set within an hour of enrolling at LifeLock . You will start receiving letters from the credit bureaus about 7 days after enrolling, to confirm that your alerts have been placed.
While your initial locks will be set within about an hour of your enrollment with LifeLock , they must be renewed every ninety days to stay in effect. LifeLock takes care of this for you automatically.
In two to four weeks, you will receive credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the three largest national credit bureaus. Most importantly, LifeLock's guarantee is in full force from the moment you enroll. They will re-order these reports periodically for your files.
The great news is that you will stop receiving pre-approved credit offers and your junk mail load will be reduced dramatically. Many people tell us that if nothing else, reducing the junk mail alone is worth the price.
Of course, you can do everything listed above yourself for free. However, it's the details of actually doing it, then re-doing it, then dealing with any problems that arise, then keeping up on the changes in the procedures of the bureaus, the new databases that are coming online, and the laws that become too much for most people and the reason that tens of thousands of people have turned to LifeLock.LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention - Save 10%
Your Identity is much more than credit fraud. Although it can take many hours and even years to repair, damage to credit reports is often the easiest thing from which to recover when your personal information is stolen. Every day, all over the United States, identity theft victims find themselves being arrested, denied earned entitlements, being passed over for promotion, not getting hired or, worse, actually getting fired, not getting rental leases, not getting insurance, paying higher life, health and auto insurance premiums, facing the IRS because an audit alert has been triggered...the list is long and limited only to the thief's imagination and industry. LifeLock is constantly updating their systems, adding new databases, working to educate legislators and congress, and helping to track down and prosecute the thieves. These thieves have literally unlimited resources, unlimited time and no scruples whatsoever. LifeLock has integrity and operates within the law, but they have no mercy whatsoever for the thief. That's why they stand behind everything they do with a $1 million guarantee.LifeLock is the only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! Click here to get a 10% discount.
In the unlikely event your lock is picked and you find yourself fighting to regain your good name, LifeLock is going to do the fighting for you. They are going to pay for the fight, and make sure that you get every dollar back, lost wages, attorney's fees, costs, actual losses, every dollar up to $1 million. Period. No fine print. If your Identity is stolen while you are a LifeLock client, and your claim is legitimate, they're going to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, however much it costs to fix it and you won't lose a dime, again, up to $1 million.
Here's what you can expect: Your personal information is locked. It's patrolled and guarded by the experts. If your personal information is stolen, you're covered and you'll have the best in the business fighting for you. No one else does that. "

Tags: identity theft prevention

Do You Need Credit Repair?

Do you need credit repair?

Do you even know what is being reported on your credit report? Twenty-five percent of all credit reports contain errors serious enough to deny consumers access to credit, favorable loan rates, insurance, and in some cases a job. Many individuals are victims of identity theft, and don't even know it!

Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major US credit reporting agencies--Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are eligible to receive a free report from each of them once every 12 months. You can order your free report from all three agencies at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/.

Once you have your report, check it carefully for clerical errors, negative items, and any indications of fraudulent activity. Look for personal information that is misspelled, outdated or that of a stranger, in addition to errors with credit accounts. Each credit bureau will detail on the report what you must do to dispute any item on your credit report. In some cases you must send your dispute letter with any supporting documentation several times before the matter will be fixed. Don't give up! If something is inaccurate, dispute it until it has been fixed.

It can take time to correct credit report inaccuracies. Recently, it was reported that victims of identity theft spend 600 hours, on average, and more than two years to fix the mess caused by identity theives. If you don't have the time necessary to deal with these problems, contact a reputable credit repair agency. We recommend Lexington Law - Credit Report Repair, they offer legal credit repair and have 15 years experience helping consumers.

Tags: credit report repair, identity theft prevention,

Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft and Fraud

Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft and Fraud
Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft and Fraud
"LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention is the only identity theft prevention service to offer a $1 million guarantee.
PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT!
Identity theft protection is available from LifeLock. You can protect your credit and your personal information from identity theft. We often hear stories about people whose identities were stolen by identity thieves. The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) determined that ID theft victims spend hundreds of hours over many years to get their lives back in order, and fix their credit. Worse than that, innocent people can end up in jail as a result of Identity Theft (due to mistaken identity). LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention service protects against this ever happening to you - enroll at LifeLock and they stand behind their service with a guarantee - up to $1 million.
The FTC reports that identity theft is the single fastest growing crime in the United States. These days it is one of the easiest crimes for criminals to get away with, and one of the most difficult crimes for individuals and businesses to avoid. At least Identity Theft was one of the easiest crime to get away with - but that was before LifeLock started protecting people's identities and personal information with their proactive ID theft prevention service.
Most estimates show that it takes id theft victims an average of 160 hours to clean up the mess left by having their identity and personal information stolen. Why go through the nightmare of Identity theft? If you enroll with LifeLock, there is no work, and no nightmare. LifeLock stops the crime before it ever happens. It's as simple as that.
LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention - Save 10%
LifeLock prevents Identity Theft. They prevent unauthorized use of your credit and personal information. Period. Working together with the four top national credit bureaus, LifeLock ensures that you're contacted to approve every credit transaction before it takes place. Additionally, LifeLock proactively removes your name from pre-approved credit card offers and junk-mail lists - that's where identity theft often gets started.
LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention is the Leader in proactive identity theft protection and prevention. You may have seen programs about LifeLock in the Wall Street Journal and Chicago Tribune, MSNBC, CNN, and many other national news outlets - they have been talking about LifeLock for some time now.
If your credit and personal information isn't proactively protected, you're at serious risk of your personal information being stolen by sophisticated criminals who can do your credit and your life much harm. Don't be a victim! Forget about waiting until someone steals your identity and your personal information - ruining your life. LifeLock can set up a very affordable, guaranteed system of proactive identity theft prevention for you right away.LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention - Save 10%
Click Here For More Details."

Tags:identity theft prevention and protection

WOWT - News

Don't be a victim of identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the US, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Be proactive, and protect yourself before it's too late with LifeLock. It is the only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! Click here to get a 10% discount.

WOWT - News
Stolen Credit Repair Kit
"Tool would help identity theft victims
Identity theft is a crime that is hurting more and more people every year.
In 2006, more than 4,000 Nebraskans were victims.
As part of consumer protection week, Nebraska's attorney general is unveiling a new tool to help repair stolen credit.
One Nebraska woman knows the dread of finding out you’ve been a victim of identity theft.
A phone call stopped a credit card issued in her name, with a credit line of $5,000, from reaching the hands of a thief.
"The nightmare began two years ago, when Discover Card contacted me and told me that an account had been applied for in my name," says Jaimee Napp.
It was one of four cards the thief impersonating Jaimee Napp applied for and didn't bother to hide behind a computer.
An elaborate scammer hit her trash can for personal information.
It turned out the thief was Napp’s former supervisor.
Napp says "This woman had taken my date of birth and social security number and personal files and used it for her own gain.”
For Jaimee Napp, regaining stability in her financial life is a work in progress.
But Nebraska's Attorney General Jon Bruning believes this identity theft repair pamphlet will help.
Jon Bruning, Nebraska's Attorney General says, "If you fall victim this could be the difference between being inconvenienced by identity theft and being ruined by identity theft."
The pamphlet is a checklist of ways to protect your identity.
For example: Never give out personal information, get a credit report every year, shred documents with personal information and leave your social security card at home.
For those like Jaimee Napp, there's a check list too. Once you believe your identity has been stolen you need to file a police report and be sure to get a copy.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a report
Contact credit reporting agencies and your credit card company
The thief who was waiting on credit cards in Napp's name, is now awaiting a trial.
Napp doesn’t believe the resolution of her financial situation will come as quickly.
"I believe it will affect my ability to get credit for quite some time," says Napp."

Be proactive. It is much more difficult to repair your credit after your identity has been stolen. Protect your identity with LifeLock. LifeLock is the only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! Click here to get a 10% discount. Everyday innocent people are denied credit, jobs, insurance, or even rental property. Even worse, others are arrested for crimes they never committed due to mistaken identity from their personal information being stolen. Don't wait for this to happen to you, protect yourself with a competent service like LifeLock or IDENTITY GUARD®.

Tags: credit repair, identity theft prevention and protection,LifeLock, identity guard

ITPro: Security: News: Stolen TK Maxx credit card details used to commit fraud

As consumers we would like to think that our personal information is safe, but more and more frequently we are hearing of consumer information being stolen from retailers, banks, and even government agencies. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US. It costs consumers hundreds and even thousands of dollars in time and money when their personal information is stolen and used to gain money credit cards, and more.

One way you can protect your identity is with LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention .
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ITPro: Security: News: Stolen TK Maxx credit card details used to commit fraud
"Stolen TK Maxx credit card details used to commit fraudPosted by Rene Millman at 10:26AM, Tuesday 30th January 2007

Security breach at parent comapny TJX led to fraud in US, Europe and Asia, according to Massachusetts Bankers Association.

Customer data stolen from TJX, the company behind high street store TK Maxx, has been used to defraud credit and debit card users in the US, Europe and Asia.

The data was taken after hackers broke into a system containing financial information of customers in December last year. Only last week did the company admit systems had been breached.
"We were extremely disappointed when we determined that we have suffered an unauthorized intrusion into our computer systems that process and store information related to customer transactions," said Ben Cammarata, chairman and acting chief executive of TJX in a statement.

The company did not divulge the extent of the breach but said that the involved the portion of TJX's computer network that handled credit card, debit card, cheque, and merchandise return transactions for customers of its T.K. Maxx shops in UK and Ireland where the company has 200 shops. The breach as affected its stores in the US as well as other chains operated by the group around the world.
It said that it was conducting a full investigation with the assistance of several computer security and incident response firms.

"Since discovering this crime, we have been working diligently to further protect our customers and strengthen the security of our computer systems and we believe customers should feel safe shopping in our stores," said Cammarata.

But the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) said that nearly 60 banks in the state had reported fraud connected to the data theft. It said in a statement that fraudulent use of debit and credit card data had been used to make purchases in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana in the US, and Hong Kong and Sweden overseas. The association said that it expected the number of banks reporting incidences to be far higher.

Daniel Forte, president of the MBA said that the card companies would notify banks which in turn would issue affected customers with new cards and the banks would contact the customer to let them know what is happening.

"In rare circumstances, in a rush to protect you, your card could be cancelled before the communication reaches you," he said.

"It is critical that the card associations - Visa, MasterCard, etc. - and public officials carefully evaluate whether the source of the breach should be identified quickly and be held liable for a data breach, particularly if the information being stored is in violation of card network rules," said Forte.
Analysts said that this current breach is symptomatic of systems that have failed to keep up to date with current security practices.

"There is a lack of security in the retail industry and that doesn't surprise me at all," said Andy Kellett, senior research analyst at Butler Group. "The details that stores keep on credit card details go back a number of years and it will be card numbers from the last couple of years that will interest criminals the most.""

Tags: identity theft prevention

Credit Repair For Dummies - Book Review

Stephen Bucci has written the ultimate guide to do-it-yourself credit repair, Credit Repair Kit For Dummies (Paperback). It is full of the tools and tips for fixing bad credit.

"Good credit. Bad credit. Damaged credit. Repaired credit. No matter how you define it right now, credit is a big part of your life..." You don't have to let your credit rating and credit score suffer needlessly from errors or outdated information. Use the tools and tips for fixing a bad credit report provided in the Credit Repair Kit For Dummies.

Bad credit reports can hurt your chances of qualifying for loans and credit cards, can prevent you from renting an apartment or landing a job, and also play a big part in whether or not you can get insurance, and how much you will pay for it. Credit Repair Kit For Dummies is the only guide you'll need to manage your credit — from fixing clerical mistakes on your credit report, to improving your credit going forward, to establishing manageable payment plans with your creditors.

In this credit repair guide you'll discover how to:

• Protect yourself from identity theft
  
• Improve your credit score
  
• Assert your rights under the FACT Act
  
• Maintain great credit
  
• Investigate your legal options

Credit Repair Kit For Dummies is the consumer's easy to use guide to fixing any credit problem. Bad credit can hurt a consumer's chance at qualifying for a mortgage, business loan, or other financial help, but fixing bad credit can be difficult for anyone who doesn't understand how credit reports work. Fortunately, Credit Repair Kit For Dummies covers everything you need to know about credit, helping consumers address their credit problems, pay down their debt, and get their finances on the right track. This kit gives readers a step-by-step process to repair credit problems and clean up a messy credit history themselves. You'll also learn how to fix credit report mistakes and deal with credit granting entities.

Tags: do it yourself credit report repair, Fair Isaac, identity theft

Free Annual Credit Report

Fight identity theft, and also know where you stand with your credit by reviewing your credit report at least once each year. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. This central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, more commonly known as a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. And it's free.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report. Once you have your three national reports, check each one carefully for clerical errors, omissions, and possible fraudulent activity. These type of negative entries may be easily disputed. Each of the credit reports will tell you exactly what to do in order to dispute an entry. Don't wait, order your free annual report today to check on your financial health.

Tags: credit report,identity theft

OnlineCreditProfessor.com - Applying for a Loan? What To Do If You Have Bad Credit

Here is some good advice about what to do before you apply for a loan from Suzanne Busby at OnlineCreditProfessor.com. Even if you have bad credit, you have options when looking for a loan. You should start the process at least 6 months before you want to apply for the loan.

OnlineCreditProfessor.com - Applying for a Loan? What To Do If You Have Bad Credit
"Applying for a Loan?--Start by Ordering Your Credit Report Now!
If you are considering applying for a loan, whether it be a mortgage or auto loan, ordering a copy of your credit report may well be the best place to start. Why? Because it’s the first thing a potential lender will be looking at, and even if you pay your bills on time, you will want to ensure that all the information in your credit report is up-to-date and accurate. Studies have shown that many credit reports contain inaccuracies that could affect your credit rating, and even lead to the rejection of your loan application. So, reviewing your credit report before applying for a loan may be a good idea, giving you time to dispute any negative or inaccurate items that may be the result of simple human error or a technical glitch. (For more information on loans, credit reporting, credit repair, identity theft, and many other financial issues, go to the OnlineCreditProfessor.com Blog.)
Depending on whether you are applying for an auto loan, a mortgage loan, or a loan for business or personal use, various lenders apply different standards in rating your credit worthiness. For this reason, obtaining your credit report and understanding how your credit history might be interpreted may give you a chance to clean up your credit report from the point of view of a lender. "

Check your credit report for clerical errors, unused credit, and late payments. In addition, avoid unnecessary inquires on your credit report, and make disputes for any inaccurate or fraudulent entries on your credit report. For more information, go to OnlineCreditProfessor.com.

Tags: bad credit, credit repair, credit report,credit score, mortgage loan, identity theft