LexisNexis, provider of personal and financial information, reported recently that can personal information of nationwide more than 310,000 people were stolen. This number is almost 10 times higher than the original figure, the company passed the last month.
ChoicePoint Inc., an other consumer data collection service, explains, 145,000 people in their database may be identity thieves earlier this year were exposed to. Recognized in DSW shoe warehouse stolen officials credit information on 103 of its 175 stores nationwide. Hackers have targeted also databases at California State University and the University of California, San Diego.
Many consumers now fear that the Internet brings them to a higher risk of identity theft. However, studies have shown that only 10 percent of the known identity theft cases of online fraud have led. Dumpster diving along with phone fraud account for far more ID theft as the Internet.
In fact, you can protect themselves from this crime in three unique ways on the Internet:
(1) Your Bank and credit accounts, view online. Almost all banks and credit card companies you have secure Web sites, which securely online your instructions and activity. Secure websites are those that start with https / / or a padlock icon on your screen.
NEVER access embedded a financial page via a link in an E-mail message. Emails with links to check, or register your personal information are a sure sign of ?phishing?, a scam to steal to collect your name and information identifies others about your identity.
Instead, type the Bank or Creditor?s website address into your browser. Check your accounts every two weeks. Make sure that the credits and pressures that are valid, on the instructions. Immediately report suspicious activity to your bank or creditor.
2) Monitor your credit report. The main reason for your identity to steal is to new credit accounts good buy and services, to open that with your name and identity theft. Chances are that you know Won?t You?re an ID theft victim to You?re denied credit or receive invoices for accounts, you never open.
If an ID thief has opened accounts in your name, they are most likely on your credit report will be displayed. There are three major credit reporting agencies; Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
New legislation you can get a year free of charge your credit report from all three of these agencies. This new program is gradually introduced in the United States is. Check to see if your state is active in this program www.annualcreditreport.com .
(3) Use credit monitoring services. A variety of fee-based services available, monitoring your credit reports for activity and on changes attention. As with any product or service, make sure that you understand what you get before you buy. Enjoy a free 30-day trial of CreditCheck ® Monitoring service and receive a free copy of your credit report to Experian by visiting http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com. This tracking service checks your credit report daily, notifying you of fraudulent activity, new questions, new accounts, late payments, and more, so that you can spot potential signs of identity theft. After the free 30-day trial are charged $9.95 per month you if you cancel the service.
If you become a victim of identity theft, your chance for loans, jobs or even housing could be adversely affected. Measures immediately after the victim is to minimize the damage.
Here, related pages are some more helpful identity theft:
www.Consumer.gov/idtheft/ [http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/] (U.S. Government ID theft website)
www.privacyrights.org/Identity.htm (ID theft resources)
http://www.identitytheft.org/ (ID theft prevention and survival)
About the author
© 2005, www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com author: James H. Dimmitt James is editor of "To your assets", a free weekly newsletter with tips to manage your personal finances. Subscribe today and get his eBook ?IDENTITY theft - how to avoid getting the next victim! "and other free bonuses by visiting http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com.
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