Guard Against Identity Theft

Guard Against Identity Thief

The criminals who perpetrate the crime of identity theft are sly and cunning. Before you can even know it, you’re credit is ruined and you must “jump through hoops” just to get it repaired a small bit.

Identity theft is a serious crime – one that is occurring with an alarming frequency. The statistics are mind-boggling.

• 1 in 4 US households have been victimized
• 10 million people last year affected
• Loss to businesses tops $47.6 billion
• Loss to victims about $5 billion
• Each victim spends about 30 hours trying to recover their name.

The problem of identity theft has become the number one fear of consumers in the world today, and unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common.

Contents

Introduction 3
What is Identity Theft? 5
How They Get Your Information 7
How Do You Know You Are A Victim? 10
How Do I Prove My Identity? 13
Organizing Your Case 14
What to Do First 15
Resolving Specific Problems 20
Bank Accounts and Electronic Withdrawals 20
Fraudulent New Accounts 23
Bankruptcy Fraud 24
Credit Cards 24
Criminal Violations 25
Debt Collectors 27
Mail Theft 28
Phone Fraud 29
Correcting Your Credit Report 29
Sample Blocking Letter for Credit Agencies 32
Sample Dispute Letter for Existing Accounts 33
Identity Theft Affidavit 34
Avoid Becoming a Victim 41
Staying Safe Online 45
Using an Outside Party for Protection 48
Important Contact Information 50
Conclusion 55
Information Checklist 57