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Some people make a full-time job out of identity theft. It is definitely
very lucrative. Victims of identity theft are caused years of hardship
due to identity theft. Theives now know that your credit is much
more valuable then any money you have on you.
How do we protect ourselves, simple:
1. Monitor your credit report with the three agencies.
2. Shred all finanical information that leaves your house. Actually
I burn it year round.
3. Protect your social security number.
4. Avoid all bait and hooks. If something comes to you that looks
official, call them right away looking up their number in the phone
book. It's a sad truth.
What if I believe I am a victim of identity theft?
1. Put fraud alerts on your credit profile with all 3 credit bureaus.
2. Review your credit report and alter/close the accounts that
you know or believe have been compremised.
3. File a local police report or FBI report, if you are referred.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Comission.
5. Apply for a new social security number.
Once these steps are taken, you have stopped the leak and now just
have to fix what hass been broken.
The numbers on Identity Theft in the U.S.:
1. The average identity theft victim is taken for $4000.
2. The average time to recover from identity theft incident is
4 months.
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