Take Action Quickly!

Immediately report the crime to the fraud department of three major credit reporting companies; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. When you notify one bureau, they should notify the other two for you, but you should proactively notify all three yourself to be certain.

Placing a fraud alert will flag your credit file and all creditors should contact you in a way you designate before extending credit. Consider using a cell phone number as the contact method or perhaps an email if you regularly check your inbox.

You can place an initial fraud alert for only 90 days. However, you can request that the fraud alert be extended to seven years. You will need to display evidence that someone is attempting to open fraudulent accounts in your name to be granted the seven year fraud alert and you may cancel it at any time you feel secure again.

Document Everything

You’ll be assigned a unique case number which you must use in all correspondence and always use certified mail. Save everything and put it somewhere safe. You may even want to make backup copies, in both paper and electronicform, of everything.

You’re entitled to a free credit report and this can be obtained from the three major credit bureaus. Examine it very carefully and question anything that seems unusual.

You may wish to discuss your options with a legal adviser or an organization who specializes in helping victims of identity theft. However, the key is fast action. The sooner you place the fraud alert the better.

Lifelock takes numerous steps to PROACTIVELY protect your identity and credit.

• 1) Enrollment – Upon enrollment you are immediately covered by LifeLock’s $1 million service guarantee.
• 2) Credit Bureaus Are Contacted – Within 24 hours of enrollment, fraud alerts will be established with the major credit bureaus.
• 3) Locks are put in place – Creditors will be required to verify your identity before opening any new lines of credit, issuing new cards or increasing your credit limit. So every time you apply for new credit or someone attempts to perform some action with your credit, you should receive a phone call from the creditor asking for verification.
• 4) Pre-approved Credit Offers are blocked – By preventing pre-approved credit card offers from being sent, a significant avenue thieves use to steal your identity is thwarted.
• 5) Monitoring – LifeLock will alert you about potential threats. LifeLock’s identity monitoring systems; eRecon™ and TrueAddress™; are vigiliant about monitoring known criminal websites for the illegal selling or trading of the personal information and detecting any new address information associated with your name in nationwide address databases.
• 6) Support – If your wallet is ever lost or stolen, a WalletLock specialist will help you contact each affected credit card, bank or document issuing company, and cancel those accounts and complete the paperwork and steps necessary to replace your lost documents.

  Sign up HERE with LifeLock for only $9 per month!

Once you become a vitcim of identity theft, it can take up to two years before the aftermath is cleared up. During this two year period, you may have issues getting a job, buying a car, getting a cell phone, or even renting a car. Also the interest rates for any loans, mortgages or any type of consumer credit can be higher, due to your unjustly damaged credit score. Not to mention the endless hours and mountains of paperwork you will need to sort through in order to set everything straight.

The lost job opportunities and higher interest rates alone quickly add up to hit your bottom line. Not to mention the time spent to resolve the issue. This is time that can be better spent. If your identity theft case is very complicated, you may even need to hire the services of an attorney to protect you from creditors. The costs of attorney fees quickly escalate, the more complicated the case is.

It is easy to see how even one instance of identitity theft can easily cost you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket fees, lost opportunities and your precious free time.

1. Don’t leave things like birth certificates, bank account and credit card statements or driver’s licenses where they can be seen by anyone entering your house or vehicle.
2. Use the need to know principle, if someone doesn’t need to know your Social Security number, or your driver’s license number, or any other details, then don’t give it to them. You should expect any employer, organization or individual whom you supply your details to respect your privacy.
3. Whenever you dispose of sensitive documents, you should destroy them so they cannot be used to glean information from. Use a lock on your mailbox to ensure that only you, or someone you authorize by giving a key, can get access to mail. Junk mail that contains your details, like pre-approved credit cards, are a high risk and sought after by identity thieves.
4. Protect yourself on line, threats are growing and range in issues like phishing to hidden code within social networking pages. If you have up to date antivirus, antispyware and a good firewall you’re in good stead and not a soft kill for hackers. Also, don’t forget to install all security updates for operating systems and applications. You should be very careful about forwarding your information across the web, especially when using wireless internet.
5. Wireless Internet is another hot spot for identity theft, with very few users of wireless using encryption or other forms of security. Someone new to Wi-Fi may have no idea that people in close proximity can use their connection if it’s not suitably protected. Some people don’t care if others use their wireless internet.

People who are careless with sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers are at greatest risk of identity theft. By simply taking a few precautionary steps, you can save yourself alot of grief.

Below you will find both the mailing address and phone numbers for the top three credit bureaus in the United States.

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Equifax: P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241.

Report fraud: Call (888) 766-0008

TDD: (800) 255-0056

Web: www.equifax.com

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Experian: PO Box 9532

Allen TX, 75013

Report fraud: Call (888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

Web: www.experian.com/fraud/

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TransUnion: P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.

Report fraud: (800) 680-7289.

TDD: (877) 553-7803

E-mail (fraud victims only): fvad@transunion.com

Web: www.transunion.com

 
The credit reporting agencies feel threatened by LifeLock because LifeLock prevents this free flow of information and is a direct threat to a their revenue stream. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are primarily information selling companies, and if they have no information to sell – they will quickly be out business.

Lifelock has recieved some negative press, but I suspect it’s mostly coming from those who fear that LifeLock may put an end to the steady influx of easy profits but protecting your sensitive information.

Ready to enroll with LifeLock? Use our LifeLock Promotion Code for Great Savings.

Enroll in LifeLock HERE – only $9 per month!

There are two major services performed by identity theft protection services. The first important service is to monitor your credit reports from all three major credit reporting agencies.  If there is any activity involving your credit reports; including inquiries – you need to be made aware of the fact immediately. Identity theft protection agencies like LifeLock contact you instantly.  Through this notification, you will know if someone is making an unauthorized request- certainly a sign that you have become the victim of identity theft.

The Second, and most difficult service performed by identity theft protection services is assisting you in the process of cleaning up the “mess” that can be left behind should you become a victim of identity theft. This includes getting your credit report and credit score back on track.  In this regard, rather than you having to spend endless hours trying to straighten matters out – the identity theft protection service does it for you.

The services performed by LifeLock are not miraculous in anyway – and can be performed by you. Just, keep in mind the time and effort required to remain vigilent in protecting yourself. Most families won’t hesitate in protecting themselves by installing an alarm on their home, or heavy duty lock on the doors – why not take precautionary measures with your identity?

LifeLock Identity Protection offers a $1 Million Guarantee

LifeLock offers a proactive identity theft service, specializing in the PREVENTION of identity theft rather than reporting it afterwards.

Prevent identity theft BEFORE it happens. LifeLock will protect your identity and personal information and willl guarantee their service for up to $1,000,000.

  Sign up HERE with LifeLock for only $9 per month!