Identity Theft Protection

What you must know about ID Theft

Identity theft, which affects over 9 millions Americans each year alone, is the act of using an individual’s identifying information such as their name, Social Security number, credit card numbers and other account numbers illegally in order to commit fraudulent crimes.

Oftentimes, identity theft can occur without the victim even becoming aware that it is even occurring until they notice the activity on their credit report, billing statements, by a debt collectors or even police department contacting you, or simply by not getting credit card bills in the mail for a while without noticing. Identity thieves steal people’s identification information for many reasons such as obtaining credit and/or loans under the victim’s name to paying their telephone bill.

Identity thieves obtain an individual’s identity through a number of methods such as through processing your credit card and “skimming” your number, going through your trash outside, using email or “phishing” scams, obtaining a statement in your mail and changing your address so that you stop receiving your bill, through obtaining a personal check, through stealing a purse, wallet or other personal items and more. Identity thieves have even been known to contact utility companies (such as telephone companies) and banks where an individual has an account and obtaining your information pretending to be you.

Even though it is not the identity theft victim’s fault, the whole ordeal can potentially do severe damage to their credit score which can also hurt their chances of getting loans approved, gaining employment, insurance and other types accounts due to the negative impact the identity theft had on their credit report. In some cases, identity thieves may even use your information in order to commit crimes which you have no idea about until you are arrested and/or detained by the police as a result of the crimes committed by the thieves.
The best way to protect yourself from these situations and more is to check your billing statements and credit report regularly as the effects of having one’s identity stolen can last for many years. If there is ever an irregularity on your credit report or billing statements, it should always be reported immediately in order to help minimize any damage that may have occurred.

For more information regarding identity theft protection services, please visit LifeLock where you will receive more detailed information on what protection services are available to you in addition to checking your credit report regularly.