Be aware that 40 million crooks obtained credit card numbers this past year, "Be Suspicious". Also be aware that most identify theft is not reported, especially when it involves family members, so the statistics are off. These statistics show that consumers lost $5 billion last year when in actuality it is closer to $50 billion. There have been an estimated 9.9 million victims in America.
In a recent article in MSN Money their research showed that 32% of people said they had been a victim of identity fraud by a friend or family, and 13% were victimized by a co-worker. Beware! These people know your patterns and habits.
? Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus, to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
? Close all accounts that have been affected and request copies of fraud-dispute forms and complete and return immediately. Keep copies!
? File a police report in each jurisdiction the theft occurred
? Send copies of the report to your creditors or anyone that requires proof of the crime
? File a complaint with the FTC (800-IDTHEFT or www.consumer.gov/idtheft) and Post Office
? Contact the Identity Theft Resource center at 858-693-7935 or www.idtheftcenter.org
? Request a new driver's license from the state of motor vehicles and have a fraud report attached to your driving record.
? Notify check-verification firms about any fraudulent checks:
International check service 800-526-5380
Telecheck 800-927-0755
Certegy Check Services 800-437-5120
? Call 1-888-CALL-FCC and file a complaint.
? Change your passwords and PIN immediately.
Michelle Dunn has over 17 years experience in credit and debt collection. She is the founder of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, is a writer, consultant and the Editorial Advisor for Eli Financial Debt Collection Compliance Alert Newsletter. Michelle started M.A.D. Collection Agency and ran is successfully for 7 years. She owns and runs Credit & Collections.com a free online community for credit and business professionals.
She has written 5 books in her Collecting Money Series and is currently writing a book for the Streetwise Series, part of the Adams Media Corporation. For more information on Michelle's services or to order any of her books please email her at michelle@michelledunn.com or visit michelle@michelledunn.com & michelle@michelledunn.com
Looking for a manufacturer or supplier of home furnishings in... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More
Skilled workers of every age have prized their tools. I... Read More
Talking is the least important half of any conversation. Listening... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More
There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More
I believe some people create and publish websites for the... Read More
One way links will help you gain better rankings in... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More
Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More
What follows is a bold statement, but sometimes it takes... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
Leadership, leadership development and leadership training are "Hot" issues in... Read More
How do you focus on your urgent e-mail and organize... Read More
Millions of people start new small businesses in the United... Read More
Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More
Do your remember when you first ventured out in the... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
1. Maintain regular working hours and stick to them.2. Get... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
Are you not sure what Business to buy? Need to... Read More
With today's technology and people's need for more information it... Read More
Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More
What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
Never in history have more entrepreneurs launched more new businesses!... Read More
Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More
Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients... Read More
The number may seem grim for Web-based commerce. In 2004... Read More
As a counselor, therapist or healing professional (massage therapist, physiotherapist,... Read More
Google is the pre-eminent search engine (SE) with no close... Read More
What follows is a bold statement, but sometimes it takes... Read More
Although dentistry may appear to be different than other types... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
Top Quick Tips |