How You Can Help Prevent Identity Theft
Queen Michelle Dunn shares ...
Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere and to anyone, individuals or businesses.
How can I prevent Identity theft from happening to me?
Michelle shares with us some key tips to help us protect ourselves:
*Never leave your receipt or slip in the ATM or gas pump.
*Pay attention to your habits:
Lockup or organize and file your bills and bank statements.
Shred them using across shredder before throwing them away.
In a recent article in MSN Money, their research showed that 32% of people said they had been a victim of identity fraud by a friend or family, and 13% were victimized by a co-worker. Beware! These people know your patterns and habits.
Some steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of Identity theft are:
*Get a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus.
(For FREE reports as of9/1/05!)
Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 http://www.experian.com/ 888-397-3742
Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30348 http://www.equifax.com/ 800-685-1111
Trans Union, PO Box 4000, Chester, PA 19016 http://www.transunion.com/ 866-887-2673
*Opt out of snail mail lists by contacting the credit bureaus above. Opt out by reading the privacy notice that comes with your credit card and following the instructions. Call the national Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or visit http://www.donotcall.gov/. Be sure to call from the number you want to register.
*Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
*Do not print your Social security number on your checks.
*Do not get your social security number printed on your drivers' license.
*Do not carry your Medicade card with you, Medicade #'s are your Social Security number.
*Do not use your date of birth as a password or PIN.
*Do not give out personal or financial information over the phone.
If you feel you have been a victim of identity fraud, contact the Departmentof Justice, consumer protection division. They offer mediation with identity theft; they also have a hot line for consumers that is available 8-5 Monday-Friday.
About Michelle ...
Dunn has over 17 years experience in credit and debt collection.She is the founder of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, is a writer, consultantand the Editorial Advisor for Eli Financial Debt Collection Compliance AlertNewsletter. Michelle started M.A.D. Collection Agency and ran issuccessfully for 7 years. She owns and runs Credit & Collections.com a freeonline community for credit and business professionals.She has written 5 books in her Collecting Money Series and is currentlywriting a book for the Streetwise Series, part of the Adams MediaCorporation. For more information on Michelle's services or to order any ofher books please email her at michelle@michelledunn.com or visithttp://www.michelledunn.com/ & http://www.credit-and-collections.com/
www.queenpower.com
For our disclaimer statement visit: www.queenpower.com/contact.html#disclaimer
Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere and to anyone, individuals or businesses.
How can I prevent Identity theft from happening to me?
Michelle shares with us some key tips to help us protect ourselves:
*Never leave your receipt or slip in the ATM or gas pump.
*Pay attention to your habits:
Lockup or organize and file your bills and bank statements.
Shred them using across shredder before throwing them away.
In a recent article in MSN Money, their research showed that 32% of people said they had been a victim of identity fraud by a friend or family, and 13% were victimized by a co-worker. Beware! These people know your patterns and habits.
Some steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of Identity theft are:
*Get a copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus.
(For FREE reports as of9/1/05!)
Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen TX 75013 http://www.experian.com/ 888-397-3742
Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30348 http://www.equifax.com/ 800-685-1111
Trans Union, PO Box 4000, Chester, PA 19016 http://www.transunion.com/ 866-887-2673
*Opt out of snail mail lists by contacting the credit bureaus above. Opt out by reading the privacy notice that comes with your credit card and following the instructions. Call the national Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or visit http://www.donotcall.gov/. Be sure to call from the number you want to register.
*Do not carry your Social Security Card in your wallet.
*Do not print your Social security number on your checks.
*Do not get your social security number printed on your drivers' license.
*Do not carry your Medicade card with you, Medicade #'s are your Social Security number.
*Do not use your date of birth as a password or PIN.
*Do not give out personal or financial information over the phone.
If you feel you have been a victim of identity fraud, contact the Departmentof Justice, consumer protection division. They offer mediation with identity theft; they also have a hot line for consumers that is available 8-5 Monday-Friday.
About Michelle ...
Dunn has over 17 years experience in credit and debt collection.She is the founder of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, is a writer, consultantand the Editorial Advisor for Eli Financial Debt Collection Compliance AlertNewsletter. Michelle started M.A.D. Collection Agency and ran issuccessfully for 7 years. She owns and runs Credit & Collections.com a freeonline community for credit and business professionals.She has written 5 books in her Collecting Money Series and is currentlywriting a book for the Streetwise Series, part of the Adams MediaCorporation. For more information on Michelle's services or to order any ofher books please email her at michelle@michelledunn.com or visithttp://www.michelledunn.com/ & http://www.credit-and-collections.com/
www.queenpower.com
For our disclaimer statement visit: www.queenpower.com/contact.html#disclaimer
posted by Allyn Evans at 1:45 PM
0 comments
