staying_safe

We are compiling information that will benefit you greatly in protecting all of your personal information: credit cards, social security numbers, account access, passwords, and more. In today's environment, identity theft is an increasing concern. When shopping online or offline, or paying your bills, you reveal personal information. There are preventive steps that you can take that will ensure your personal information and identity are kept safe from predators.

Why are we providing you with this information? We realize the seriousness of identity theft and that no one wants anything stolen from them. It is a very disturbing feeling having your identity compromised.

I know exactly how it feels to have ones' information stolen. My wife and I were the victims of identity theft. Someone used my credit card to make purchases. One purchase went through and the others were declined because a red flag went up. Some years ago, my wife decided to stop working in order to be a stay at home mom to raise our children. We discovered that someone was fraudulently working, employed under her social security number.

Her social security number had been compromised without her knowledge.

Over the years, I have learned many tips and collected information for protecting one's identity and personal information. As mentioned earlier, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from being a victim of fraud, financial predators, rip-off artists, scams, and all of the dishonest means people use to try to steal our private information and identities. I will be supplying helpful information, tips, suggestions, and a lot more on how to keep yourself safe. All of the information that we will be supplying will be free of charge.

The following is our own and others' information that we have gathered from different sources, and we will continue to add to it:

CONSUMER TIPS

Protect Your Identity

Guard your financial information closely. Never give out your bank card, credit card, social security number or financial information unless you initiated the transaction and you trust the merchant.

Beware of imposters. Cons may look and sound like a company or bank you do business with, but trusted merchants will never call you to obtain personal information. Only call a known company phone number and when online, never enter a website from an email; type the known URL into your browser.

Protect your snail mail. Pick it up promptly, have it picked up when you're away, and if possible, get a secure, locked mailbox.

Shred all offers you receive by mail. Once your trash can is on the street for pickup, it is public property, so anyone can help themselves to what's inside. To feel doubly secure, you should burn your shredded papers. You can burn this either in a fireplace or in a small, metal, portable BBQ pit, which you can purchase for $10-15.

Lock your "valuables". Keep a fire-proof safe for important documents such as wills, titles, financial information, passports and social security cards. Use passwords to protect your computer, PDA, phone or any device that has identity information.

Memorize your passwords and PINs. Never keep them with cards, your wallet, your car or other identifying information.

Check your credit report regularly. It's like going to the dentist…you don't enjoy it, but doing it keeps you healthy and prevents problems later.

When you are making a purchase with your card in person, be sure that no one is standing over you. In the past, thieves have been able to take pictures of buyers' credit cards as they were making a purchase in order to use their financial information fraudulently.

Telemarketing Fraud: Watch out for…

Pressure to act immediately ("offer valid for 24 hours only")

Refusal to send you written information

Use of scare tactics ("if you don't…you could lose your home")

Demands for payment by wire or courier

Demands for payment of taxes or customs fees to claim a prize

Requests for your financial account numbers even though you're not paying for something with them

Claims that you can make lots of money working from home

For information on how to get off mailing, emailing and telemarketing lists, go to these two web sites http://www.ehow.com/ and http://www.privacycouncil.org

Advance Fee Loans, Credit Service & Credit Card Offers

NEVER deposit a check you didn't expect to get, since you'll be responsible for it if it bounces

It's against the law for telemarketers to charge any fees in advance if they claim that it's likely that they can help you get a loan.

If you have poor credit or haven't established a good credit record yet, it's unlikely that anyone will lend you money, except at very high fees.

If you don't qualify for a loan yourself, try finding a co-signer.

It isn't necessary to pay another company to help you get a credit card, nor will it improve your chances of obtaining one.

It's illegal to charge for a credit card before you receive it, and if they say you qualified, but they need your social security number, it's a scam.

Federal law requires credit repair services to give you a explanation of your legal rights, a detailed written contract, and three days to cancel (this applies to for-profit services, not to nonprofit organizations, banks and credit unions, or the creditors themselves).

"Free" credit reports are not really free, so it's best to contact the credit bureaus directly-Experian, TransUnion and Equifax-to request your credit history. By law you can obtain a free credit report once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com. Immediately challenge anything you know to be false.