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