Identity Theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America today. Usually, by the time an individual realizes their personal and/or financial information has been stolen, it’s too late. It can cost time and money to repair your personal & financial reputation after your identity has been compromised.
The number 1 source for Identify Theft is, that’s right, your trusted computer. Not only is your personal PC at risk of being compromised but Corporate Databases that contain information that even you may have forgotten about are being targeted and compromised on a daily basis.
Personal Information
Identify Theft can cause more than just financial hardship. Today’s Identity thieves are using your personal information in more creative ways than ever before. Just who are these people stealing your personal information? It could be anyone from a family member to your next-door neighbor, or even someone in another country.
While banks and credit card companies can often detect fraud, the cooperation of the consumer is necessary in order to pinpoint fraudulent transactions and inquiries. New account fraud is difficult to detect unless you are constantly monitoring your credit report or have a credit monitoring system in place. Unfortunately, the longer fraud goes unnoticed, the more difficult the process is to get it resolved. Once resolved it could still take a couple of weeks or even several years to get your finances back into “pre-theft” order.
If you think you have fallen victim to Identify Theft, get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Review them carefully. These reports will contain information about all the credit accounts opened in your name, including those opened without your knowledge or consent. If you see suspicious accounts or addresses, contact the reporting bureau and your creditors immediately. It may be a sign that you actually are a victim.
Some ways to help prevent Identity Theft are:
- Request a copy of your credit report from all 3 major credit reporting agencies.
- Look for suspicious or unauthorized charges on credit card and bank statements.
- Take measures to protect information on your personal PC & mobile devices by utilizing password protection.
- Keep any documents containing personal & financial information in a secure place such as a bank lockbox or unmovable safe.
- Shredding any and all unneeded documents containing personal & financial information.
- Don’t give out personal or financial information over the phone.
If you think you may be a victim or your identity has been stolen or compromised, call Finley Consulting & Investigations today and speak with one of our professionals. Let us help you protect your identity before it’s too late.
