Don't be one of them? Many consumers
do not know the importance of checking their credit report at least
once a year. Identity theft is the number one crime on the internet.
It is important to take drastic steps NOW to prevent yourself from
becoming a statistic.
Listen to these
consumers . . .
Someone used my Social
Security number to get credit in my name. This has caused a lot of
problems. I have been turned down for jobs, credit, and refinancing
offers. This is stressful and embarrassing. I want to open my own
business, but it may be impossible with this unresolved problem
hanging over my head.
From a consumer complaint
to the FTC, May 18, 1999
Someone is using my name
and Social Security number to open credit card accounts. All the
accounts are in collections. I had no idea this was happening until
I applied for a mortgage. Because these "bad" accounts showed up
on my credit report, I didn't get the mortgage.
From a consumer complaint
to the FTC, July 13, 1999
ID thieves steal personal
information, such as a credit card account number, Social Security
number or driver’s license number. Then they open up accounts in a
consumer’s name and run up charges on the account. Or, they use the
personal information to charge goods and services to a consumer’s
existing accounts. In other cases, they may work, or even be arrested,
while using the victim’s name.
The harm to a consumer’s
credit and daily life can be devastating. Victims of ID theft often
have trouble getting new credit cards or loans because of the
damage to their credit ratings.
According to the ID Theft
Data Clearinghouse, the most common types of identity theft are:
- using or opening a credit card
account fraudulently
- opening telecommunications or
utility accounts fraudulently
- passing bad checks or opening a
new bank account
- getting loans in another person’s
name
- working in another person’s name.
Source:
Identity Theft: Report, Testimony's, and Comments
Catching Identity Theft
Early
Sometimes an ID thief can
strike even when you've been very careful. One of the best ways to
catch identity theft is to regularly check your credit record. Also,
follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A
missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over
your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover
his tracks.
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