Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com
|
||
|
||
|
Credit Information | Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com |
|
|
|
Identity Theft - How Can You Prevent It Happening to You?
The nightmare of identity theft strikes an estimated 750,000 people every year. How can you keep from being one of them? While there is no guarantee that you won't become a victim, there are some steps you can take to decrease the risk and protect yourself. According to the Federal Trade Commission, some everyday tips to protecting your personal information include: ? Not giving out your personal information to a stranger over the phone, the Internet, or through the mail. Your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and address, credit card or bank account numbers, and drivers' license number can be used by criminals to assume your identity. Unless you know the person you are communicating with or have invited them to contact you, do not answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. Identity thieves can pose successfully as agents from banks, credit card companies, Internet service providers, utility companies, or government offices. If someone calls claiming to represent a legitimate organization, confirm this by calling the customer service number listed on your statement or bill. ? Finding out how your personal information will be used and if you have the option to keep the details confidential when providing this data to a legitimate organization, for example, when filling out an application. Ask if the organization has a method of securing your information and if they plan to share it with other companies or individuals. ? Always monitoring the balances on your checking, savings, or other financial accounts. Keep an eye out for unexplained charges or withdrawals made without your permission. Carefully reading your monthly bank and credit card statements, then checking the amounts against your check register or other record-keeping method could catch a thief in the act of assuming your identity and spending your hard-earned money. ? Keeping track of your billing cycles. If your credit card statement doesn't arrive at its usual time, this could signal an address change by an identity thief. ? Being cautious handling your mail and even your trash. Place outgoing mail in a post office collection box or at the post office instead of leaving it out on your mailbox. Bring the mail inside promptly every day, and when planning to be out of town, enlist the help of a friend or neighbor to do the same. A thief can sift through your garbage in search of sensitive information. Shred all charge receipts, credit offers and applications, insurance or physician's statements, checks and bank statements, and discarded credit cards. ? Storing your Social Security card someplace other than your purse or wallet. Provide your SSN only when necessary, and ask to substitute another number if your state uses your SSN on your drivers' license. ? Carrying only the credit or debit cards you need. Leave other identifying cards at home. In addition to the everyday precautions that can minimize your risk, there are some other actions you can take to improve your safety: ? Safeguard the information on your computer by updating your virus protection plan on a regular basis, using a firewall to keep hackers from accessing your files, and deleting any personal information on your computer before you dispose of it using a "wipe" utility program that clears the hard drive. Never download a file from someone you don't know, and do not open e-mails from an unfamiliar sender; doing so could expose your computer to a virus. Finally, when submitting personal information over the Internet, look for the "lock" icon on the status bar to know that your browser is secure. ? Use passwords for your bank, credit card, and phone accounts. Try to think of a unique number that you can remember other than your birth date, your mother's maiden name, the last four digits of your SSN, or a series of numbers in order, e.g. 1-2-3-4. ? Find a safe place for your purse or wallet while you're at work. Ask about the policy your office has for securing your personal information, such as who has access to it, where it is stored, and how it is disposed of when you leave. ? Every year, order a copy of your credit report from the three different credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check for the accuracy of each and correct any discrepancies. You may be charged for the report, but the savings you receive in peace of mind is well worth the fee. ? Clean up any credit damage as soon as you possibly can. Errors in reporting alone happen often, some estimates are as high as 62% of the information on a credit report may be inaccurate. That doesn't even begin to cover situations such as identity theft which is a serious problem on the rise in the U.S. You can consult a Credit Damage expert if you suspect that your credit has been accessed or used in any way without your permission. That includes companies running a simple inquiry without you saying they can. For more information on what an expert witness can do for you, go to http://www.creditdamage.com When it comes to protecting your good name and your hard-earned money, a little caution goes a long way. Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting http://www.creditdamage.com or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
MORE RESOURCES: Credit - Google News Amaker gets the credit for Harvard's success | The Republic - The Republic
Credit Suisse Swings to Loss in Fourth Quarter - New York Times
1 Hot Credit Card Stock & The Future of Mobile Payment - DailyFinance
US Credit Swaps Rise as EU Chiefs Defer Ratifying Greek Plan - BusinessWeek
The best of credit ratings, the worst of credit ratings - Lakeland Times
CREDIT MARKETS: Action Muted As Participants Weigh Greece Deal, Jobs Data - Wall Street Journal
7 Things You Didn't Know Affect Your Credit Score - San Francisco Chronicle
An Earned Income Tax Credit Q&A - Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
TEXT-ECB approves credit claim collateral rule changes - Reuters
Republicans Target Tax Credits for Undocumented Immigrants - Fox News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Bad Credit Credit Cards Chances are you've gotten your share of offers like this in the mailBad Credit Credit Card, Bad Credit Visa Cards and Credit Cards for People With Bad Credit. Re-establish your credit with a bad credit credit card, credit cards for people with bad credit or pre-approved Visa cards regardless of your bad credit history, some with low introductory rates and other perks. Important Things to Know About Divorce and Credit Joint debts remain joint debts.Both spouses signed a legally binding contract with the creditor, and a divorce decree neither amends this contract nor relieves the creditor's investment in you. How A Prepaid Debit Card Can Help You Rebuild Your Credit Consumers today are up to their eyeballs in debt. And many people don't realize it until their good credit has been devastated. 5 Steps You Can Take to Get Paid! There are always some companies that have past due invoices and can't seem to get them paid. They might be quietly waiting to get paid not wanting to contact the client for fear of appearing "desperate". Credit Cards, Merchant Accounts, and Your Bottomline Q: I'm opening a gift shop and want to be able to accept credit cards. I talked to the branch manager at my bank, but he didn't seem to know much about how it all worked. Avoiding Credit Card Traps The next time you open your credit card statement, take a closer look at the small insert titled "changes to your credit card agreement". You know the one I'm speaking about. Establishing Credit - What You Need To Know Part 2 In my previous article "Establishing Credit - What You Need To Know Part 1" I discussed the need for a good credit history and what lenders were looking for prior to loaning an individual money or additional funds based on their credit history. This article will go into the necessary steps someone needs to take in order to initially establish their credit history. Learning the Disturbing Facts about Credit Card Debt When I received my first credit card in the mail at age 18 I was ecstatic, I said to myself, wow now I'm getting somewhere in life. This credit card company thinks I'm worthy of 500 dollars in credit. How to Get Credit Reporting Agencies to Help You The process of clearing credit can be laborious and frustrating. Understanding your rights empowers you and saves you time and effort. Credit Repair Myths and Facts There are no secrets to repairing your credit. Many shady credit repair agencies would love you to think the contrary. 4 Steps to Creating Good Credit As a consumer you've learned the importance ofestablishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score. Credit Card Rates - Negotiating Rates with Your Credit Card Company Ok, let's face it, everybody hates high credit card rates, and they drain hard earned money out of your wallet. As a valued consumer, it is apparent that you learn how to negotiate to get the absolute best rate that you possibly can. Always Avoid Payment Holidays Once you've been paying off a credit card for a while, you might be offered a 'payment holiday'. You'll get a letter, saying that since the company knows it's difficult for some families around Christmas (or whatever other excuse they think up), they're offering you a month off from paying, as a 'special present'. Are 0% Credit Cards Reaching Their End? Are Credit Card companies starting to feel the pinch? We all know that the Credit Card companies make their money by charging us interest on the money we borrow. With all the 0% balance transfer offers that we have seen over the last few years its no wonder these companies are concerned they aren't making any money. Searching For A Low Interest Credit Card? These days, people need to very carefully consider whattype of credit card they will carry in their wallets. Thereare so many options out there, and each individual hasdifferent needs. Credit Card Balance Transfers Explained What is a balance transfer ?A balance transfer can be explained simply as a balance transfer! When a balance is transferred usually from a credit card, but possible from a bank account or loan to a credit card with a offer interest rate (usually 0%) for a set period. It does not have to be the entire amount. Dont Fall For A Scheme When Trying To Rebuild Your Credit History For people with a spotty credit history or bad credit, getting approved for a standard credit card can be difficult, if not impossible.There are a number of credit card options that are aimed specifically at people who have bad credit and are trying to rebuild or repair it. How Credit Scoring Works The all important credit score! It determines the amount of loan you can get, it determines the interest rate at which you are charged for a loan, etc. Your credit score plays an important figure in your financial life. What Is the Fair Credit Reporting Act and What You Should Know About It The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the recent update to this law called the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) protect consumers against inaccurate information being reported by credit bureaus and the privacy of that information. What does this mean to you?When you make purchases on a credit card, make payments to your accounts, open new bank or credit accounts, borrow money, buy a house or a car, and even fund your education, your financial information is reported by creditors and lenders to a credit bureau. Credit Report Secrets: Do You Know What They Reveal? If you've ever applied for a credit card or loan, you've probably hadyour credit report reviewed by the lender. Your credit report has a huge impact on your financial future, so it's well worth your time to be sure that you understand what your credit report says about you.
|
|
Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?
YourFree.biz Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us © www.YourFree.biz 2011 |
|
