| Identity theft fraud in America has reached | | | | 5. If you don't receive a regular monthly |
| epidemic proportions having surpassed 27 | | | | bill, call the company to find out why. |
| million cases and increasing every year. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Check out the bills you do receive to make |
| The banks are taking identity theft fraud | | | | sure all the transactions are legitimate. If |
| very seriously and have taken substantial | | | | there is anything suspicious call the company |
| measures to protect your identity and your | | | | immediately to stop any fraud from going any |
| accounts against scammers. | | | | further. |
| | | | |
| They have implemented a password protection | | | | 7. Check your credit report at least once a |
| for online transactions. When you use your | | | | year to make sure the information is correct. |
| online services, keep your secret password | | | | |
| protected so only you know what it is. | | | | In December 2004 the Fair and Accurate |
| | | | Credit Transactions Act was put into effect |
| All online bank transactions are now | | | | and one provision requires that the three |
| encrypted which converts your information | | | | major credit reporting agencies are to |
| into a secure code, protecting you against | | | | provide consumers with a free copy of their |
| would be hackers. | | | | own credit report. |
| | | | |
| To protect yourself here are a few more | | | | Another provision to help fight identity |
| things you should know about preventing | | | | theft is the National Fraud Alert System. |
| identity fraud : | | | | This allows consumers who reasonably suspect |
| | | | they have been a victim of identity theft can |
| 1. Never give out information such as | | | | place an alert on their credit files. This |
| checking and credit card numbers or your | | | | alert will tell potential creditors that they |
| Social Security number to anyone you do not | | | | must proceed with caution when granting |
| know. | | | | credit. |
| | | | |
| 2. Notify your bank immediately if you lose | | | | Scammers can get the information they need to |
| or have your checks stolen. They can be | | | | assume your identity from a variety of |
| flagged with a fraud notice to block payment. | | | | sources. They range from stealing your |
| | | | wallet to digging in your trash. They may |
| 3. Don't give the PIN number on your ATM | | | | approach you in person, by telephone or on |
| card to anyone and never write the number | | | | the Internet. |
| down and keep in your wallet. Always take | | | | |
| your ATM receipts with you after a | | | | The sources of information about you are so |
| transaction. | | | | numerous that you cannot totally prevent the |
| | | | theft of your identity. But identity theft |
| 4. Shred any financial papers you receive | | | | fraud can be minimized by just becoming aware |
| before disposing of them. This includes any | | | | of the possibilities. |
| solicitation notices that you may receive for | | | | |
| any credit cards or mail from other financial | | | | Copyright © 2005 Spyware All Rights |
| institutions. | | | | Reserved. |
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