The first step to fight identity theft is to obtain a online credit report report from Equifax Inc Experian or TransUnion, which are the three major credit bureaus. By law, you are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.

fight identity theft
On your credit report, you will see who has tried to access your report information. You will also see all new accounts, credit cards, loans and mortgages listed. If something looks suspicious, then don’t hesitate to report identity theft immediately. To get the most accurate report, you should check all three reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

Some people get their free credit report from Experian, wait four months and get another free report from Equifax, then wait four more months and get their free report from TransUnion. Otherwise, you may have to pay a small fee to access your information later in the year.

If you notice something amiss, then you can get equifax information from your credit bureaus and place a “fraud alert” on your account to stop identity theft . With a fraud alert, the credit bureaus will need to contact you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

experian free report
Experian Inc also offers a “CreditCheck” program, which alerts you whenever a change takes place on your credit report. This is a good idea if you feel your personal information may have been recently stolen, especially if you have lost your wallet, misplaced a bill or noticed suspicious activity on your accounts.

To fight identity theft, keep tabs on your FICO score for $9.95/month at www equifax com with their “score watch” program, which will allow you immediate online access to your credit file, as well as alert you to any new requests for information or lines of credit. Additionally, McAfee Internet Security Suite will protect your computer from hackers, so you can shop, bank and email safely.

free experian credit report
The credit bureaus can put a free 90-day fraud alert on your account if you find suspicious activity. The bureau you report to initially is required by law to notify the other two. Be sure to report identity theft immediately to prevent further damage to your financial history.

Times have changed and thanks to the internet, people are closer now than ever before. But there are risks involved when going online. Online identity theft is the predominant way people become internet identity theft victims.

stop identity theft
Where internet identity theft is concerned, you can never be too sure about the information you are receiving or sending out. An identity thief will go to great lengths to steal your identity.

Some create fake websites that look like the websites you typically visit. Some even set up viruses so they can gain access to your computer. The company may sell your personal information to another company for the right price.

Security identity theft online can be difficult but it is not impossible. It does take awareness and it does take diligence. You have to be a bit jaded with everything you do online. This is a sad state of affairs but it is absolutely true.

You never know how secure your personal information actually is. The identity theft cases that have occurred due to online intrusions are pretty serious but most could have been prevented with a little bit of caution.

Preventing identity theft
Identity theft solutions are available if you know where to look. The first step is making sure that your computer is secure. This means buying and installing trusted security software to protect identity theft information data and will prevent outside intruders from gaining access to your computer’s hard drive.

Most identity theft victims discover the hard way that their computers were not secure. Another issue is going to unsecured websites and entering in personal information, such as credit card numbers. If you are not sure of the website, then do not give them your financial information.

Will online identity theft ever happen to you? It is very possible. Even with high tech software encryptions, website verification and security, it can still occur. The identity thieves will just try different tactics. Sometimes they will be successful and other times they will be thwarted.

identity theft credit card
Preventing identity theft is ultimately your responsibility. You can do your part and protect your information as best possible. If you take enough precautions, you can make sure your information stays in your hands and not in someone else’s.

That simple score can let another lender, employer or agency decide whether or not you can own a home, car or even have the job that you are seeking. Most people know that by monitoring their score they can help stop identity thieves. But did you know that there are other theft prevention methods that work?

theft prevention
A internet identity theft method that is very easy to use is to install security software onto your computer. Most people use their computers to pay bills, monitor their money or purchase items. If you do not have security software in place, then your computer is vulnerable to outside attacks.

Internet identity theft is one of the most common ways that people end up being victims. If you do not have software in place to protect your computer from outside intrusions, then your information can be stolen.

Other theft information measures you may want to utilize is a simple paper shredder. You would be very surprised at the amount of information an identity thief can steal just by rifling through your garbage. Many people pay bills online but throw away the paper copy of their bills.

Identity theft and fraud through this method can be traced but it can still be difficult. Simply shred all of your documents and information before you toss them out with the garbage. You do want to make sure that you have a shredder that not only cuts vertically but also cross cuts. This way there is no way for the identity thief to piece together the papers.

theft information
Have you ever paid attention to who is standing next to you in the checkout line? You whip out your debit card and punch in the PIN so you can pay for your purchases. But that person next to you may have just seen your PIN number.

As you leave, he or she casually pickpocket’s you and they have your money. ATM machines are the same way. The most basic identity theft solutions prevention method is simply shielding your PIN from a stranger. You cannot stop everyone from obtaining your information but you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud.

online shopping site
One major issue is security. To find a secure online shopping site, a person must do research. Not all shopping online sports are reputable. If a store is in question, a quick Google of it can benefit the shopper. One thing to look for when shopping is the padlock device at the bottom of the screen.

This padlock lets the shopper know that the site is secure for the consumer to be shopping on. However, one will not see the padlock until the checkout process. A few things to look for before checking out will be if the site has a telephone number and a geographical address. If a store does not have these two things, buyers beware.

Quality of products that a website may sell is a drawback to many online shoppers. By going to a brick and mortar store, a person can visually see the item that they are going to purchase. They can fully inspect and determine if the item is worth purchasing. If someone has given a bad review, a shopper may look elsewhere to purchase the same item since Ebay has so many similar items for sale. One option that is available for online shoppers is a review site.

online shopping sites
They are strictly relying on the website to provide accurate details. Before a consumer makes that final purchase, a quick review site may be necessary with online shopping site. These sites give customer and expert reviews of the site and the materials that are being sold.

Something that an online shopper may fail to fully understand when purchasing goods online is the return or exchange policy that a shop at home site offers. The time frame that a product can be returned or exchanged varies. Another thing that a shopper more than likely does not pay attention to is that if an item is returned or exchanged a consumer may be responsible for the shipping charges.

QVC will gladly accept returns for up to thirty days; however, shipping charges will not be refunded. In other words, if a customer pays $60 for an item and it costs $15 to return it; in reality they have lost $15. These are very important things that a consumer must be aware of before shopping online.

discount shopping online
Anyone can take advantage of the new rage of online shopping. With just a computer and internet service, a person can shop all of the top world retailers in the comfort of their own home. However, the fine print must be understood.

Without knowing the shop, the pitfalls can cost more than the item that is being bought. A little research is going to be needed, but if that is done, a person can enjoy the internet shopping experience in their pajamas.

2: Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The fraud alert puts creditors on notice to follow certain protocol before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Make a call to one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies to place a 90-day fraud alert on your account. You need only to notify one of the reporting consumer agencies, the one you call is required by law to notify the others.

Here are the numbers for the consumer reporting companies:

Equifax - 1-800-525-6285
Experian - 1-888- Experian (397-3742)
Trans Union - 1-800-680-7289

Placing a fraud alert will entitle you to free copies of your credit reports in order for you to look for companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.

Here is the contact information for the free credit report:

www.AnnualCreditReport.com
1-877-322-8228
Annual Credit Report Services
P.O. Box 105281

3: Close accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. To close the accounts, contact the security or fraud department of each company where the account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies (not the originals) of supporting  documents. Use the ID Theft Affidavit provided by the FTC at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement. Be sure to ask for written verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged. And keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.

4: File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Be sure to get a copy of the report. The report will be needed to get further documentation about your frauduent accounts.

5: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/idtheft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT. Your report will help law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.

Your Internet Safety Advisors,

Dave Ballard

Bill Wardell

Colleges have allowed aggressive and often deceptive credit card marketing campaigns on their campuses for years.  Credit card companies are often allowed to set up booths in campus bookstores and include advertisements for their cards in college welcome packets as well as advertising on campus.

Some colleges even provide student contact information to banks which they receive a fee for doing so.  The U.S. PIRG (The Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups) is urging college administrators to take an active role in determining the type of credit card marketing that is allowed on their campuses.

College students are commonly victims of unfair credit card marketing practices, that can and should be stopped.

Your Internet Safety Advisors,

Dave Ballard

Bill Wardell

Corporate Identity Theft is also on the rise. Several corporations and corporate officers have been unkowingly involved in these cases involving corporate identity theft.

Cyber Stalking has also become a problem associated with fictitious identities. Individuals use the assumed identity over the Internet, to terrorize other individuals.

Patented technology has and continues to help law enforcement agencies in Internet related investigations. One process automatically identifies all Internet E-Mail addresses stored on a given computer. Another process automatically identifies all Internet web browsing activity on a given computer. This technology is also used by U. S. intelligence agencies to help identify Internet related links between terrorists and other individuals of interest to the government.

The Future Concerning Identity Theft

Currently, law enforcement agencies rely upon computer forensics to help even the playing field with the criminals who choose to use computers to commit crimes. Nevertheless, that may change if Microsoft follows through with their plans to make personal computers more secure in the near future.

It is important for you to understand that Computer Forensics exists because of the inherent insecurity of the personal computer. There are good reasons to make personal computers more secure but the tradeoff will likely benefit criminals, especially those who use computers to commit crimes and terrorists who rely upon computers and the Internet for their communications.

Our Hope Is That Time Is On The Side of Law Enforcement.

Your Internet Safety Advisors,

Dave Ballard & Bill Wardell

The Federal Trade Commission is one of many organizations that provides valuable facts and information to consumers concerning identity theft, including preventative and resolutions to identity theft concerns.

Almost every worldwide government agency responsible for identity theft issues will tell you the the first step to fighting identity theft is to minimize the risk. To do this they urge consumers to protect their personal information. Start by asking companies how they use your information, and for online transactions, take a moment to review a Website’s privacy policy. In offline tranactions don’t provide credit card numbers, financial account numbers, and personal identifying information over the phone unless you know the communication line is secure. Ideally, you should initiate the conversation. For Internet transactions, be sure the Website offers secure data encryption and other SSL Certificate services to protect your personal information.

Lastly, there are recommended everyday offline practices, such as keeping an eye on postal mail to ensure your bills are arriving when they should be, and taking the time to properly dispose of paper documents that may contain credit card numbers and other identifying personal information. The more private and secure you keep your personal identifying information, the less susceptible to identify theft you are.

Never overlook the possibility of securing your computer from vicious attacks and your personal identity from Identity Theft, be insured against thieves who would steal your identity.

Your Internet Safety Advisors,

Dave Ballard & Bill Wardell

Many online businesses today also store personal information about customers and shopper son their Websites, and that information used when a person returns to the Web site. This provides another way for your personal information to be accessed.

Additionally, e-mail phishing, thieves attempt to gather your personal information. Phishing e-mails falsely claim to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam you into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail will direct you to visit a Web site where you’re asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers — information the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal your information.

The outcome of identity theft is usually the same, regardless of how the thief obtains your information, but, there are ways of protecting yourself while online and offline. For more information on how to protect yourself from Identity Theft see Identity Theft Protection .

*****insert a link to the Invisus ID Theft Insurance info and sign up on the last sentence*****

With this information the thief could do things such as apply for loans or new credit card accounts. They can then request a billing address change and run up your existing credit cards without your knowledge. Thieves can also use counterfeit checks and debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, to wipe out your bank accounts.

Identity theft can also go beyond this type of a monetary impact. Thieves can use your information to obtain a driver’s license or other documentation that would display their photo but your name and information. With these documents thieves can obtain a job and file fraudulent income tax returns, apply for travel documents, file insurance claims, or even provide your name and mailing address to police and other authorities if involved in other criminal activities.

Read our next article “Using Information from your Internet Activities for Identity Theft” .