i-KnowHow

Identity theft is when a criminal acquires and uses someones personal information and then uses that information to, in a sense, become that person for a while.

The most common uses of identity theft are credit card and check fraud. Some other uses that can occur are illegal immigration, blackmail, crime or just attacking an individual for revenge.

Identity theft can really destroy someones life for months or even years. The most common result is destruction of credit.

Is your personal information really protected?
Find out with IDENTITY GUARD®

People often get credit cards and open bank accounts in the victims name and buy all kinds of expensive merchandise they can either keep or sell for cash.

In extreme cases, loans can be taken out for thousands of dollars and the identity thief can simply disappear. Luckily, a photo identification is necessary for high priced transactions and loans most of the time.

Credit isnt the only thing that can be destroyed by identity theft. Many times, criminals will use your personal information to get a drivers license because they are wanted or plan to commit many crimes very soon.

If these criminals rent a car that is used in a crime, guess who is the first suspect? Thats right, its YOU. By the time you even realize this has happened, your name and picture might be all over the news.

This can annihilate your good name in your community or even the entire country. Even when it is proved you had absolutely nothing to do with the crime, people will still associate you with that particular event.

Identity theft is a growing concern for many people. Spotlighted often on the news and shows like Dateline, identity theft is a very scary subject and can cause the victim all kinds of emotional pain and financial trouble.

Identity theft can occur in numerous ways such as by someone using your social security number, checks, credit cards, drivers license and much more.

Luckily, there are many easy tips you can use to keep yourself more secure. By no means will they be completely effective but they can make you less likely to be a random victim.

Identity Guard: TOTAL PROTECTION

Documents are the biggest problem for most people. From bank statements to medical bills, you get mail constantly that is full of your personal information.

Youd think in this computer-centric world, they could finally put a stop to all of these paper bills and documents and just send you everything electronically but thats not going to happen yet.

Until it does, make sure you shred everything that has your personal information on it. This can be a daunting task to do by hand so an electric shredder is the best way to go.

The shredded paper is great for rodent bedding if you have children with small pets or want a pet.

In addition to documents, there are many things that should be common knowledge but can be overlooked. Never carry your checkbook, birth certificate, or social security card in your wallet or purse.

Checks are absolutely horrible.

They not only have your personal information, they have your bank account number and routing number right there. Some people even put their social security number right on the check!!

DO NOT do that. A little common sense and knowledge can go a long way in protecting you from identity theft.

Identity theft is often in the media. Someone gets another person’s personal information, ruins their credit, steals all the money from their bank account, and really ruins that person’s life for years.

Most media topics cover the financial and law enforcement aspects but what about the fear and pain that person goes through. This can be emotionally devastating and may lead to thoughts of suicide in extreme cases.

Imagine if you have been saving a little bit each month for years to finally be able to purchase something you have always wanted. You are working very hard for this reward and you deserve it.

How will you know if someone applies for a new cell phone account in your name?
IDENTITY GUARD® can alert you quickly.

One day you wake up and your bank account is empty and the bills start coming in the mail. The sense of helplessness and loss would be terrible.

You may never know who did this to you. Where did they even get the information? From far away or from your own home? The ability to trust others will be hard to get back for a while and you may need serious help to recover from what has happened.

There are many different places that can help you recover financially and emotionally from identity theft. Of course the first step is always to call the police and often they will refer you to a counseling service that can be very beneficial.

Don’t just dismiss this and throw the business card in the trash. The stress that can build up may eventually become overwhelming so by talking to a counselor about the entire event and developing a plan of action for the future can really stabilize you.

Supportive friends and family are also very important to have around. It could take many months to sort out the financial areas of identity theft but much longer for the emotional scars to heal.