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Recently, I reactivated my Identity Theft Radio Show and going along with that, I have imported my Credit Repair and Debt Management blog here at The NMP Network. Since part of identity theft recovery is credit repair, this will make a nice fit along with the Identity Theft Radio blog posts.

I stopped regular posting a couple of months ago to the Credit Repair blog after almost daily posting for more than a year and a half. I will be revamping the domain at http://www.robwhite.us (where the Credit Repair blog has been for a while) and turning it into a personal blog site.

So, the import has completed and there are a couple of new categories that you can check out now. Also, the comments that were made on the other site have also been imported to keep the flow of the threads complete.

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This week, we will breifly discuss the second type of identity theft, Social Security Number Identity Theft.

Everyone has a social security number. Even though we are not to use it as identitification, most businesses will require this as a form of ID and some will use it as the only means of verifying who you are.

The main problem with this is, when someone steals your social security number, they can effectively open new accounts at utilities, cable offices, cell phone accounts, and even some financial institutions. The bottom line is, as always, it will be you who gets these bills, not the identity thief.

You should always protect your social security number by not carrying your card in your purse or wallet, keep it secured at home, and when required to verbalize your number or write it down, do so in a manner that others around cannot hear you recite it or see you write it down.

Medical practitioners will normally require your number in order to match your medical records. This is ok, however, keep an eye out to insure that they do not leave your information laying on the desk or counter, thus exposing you to the World. Also, if they are throwing away some written information about you, ask them to shred it in front of you to insure that your information will stay secure.

When writing checks at a retailer, they may ask for your Drivers License Number and Social Security Number to be written down on the check. Take the initiative to refuse to write down this information. Offer to show the clerk your drivers license and ssn, however, let them know that you are uncomfortable letting out that much personal information on one document. With just one check with all of that information, an identity thief will have your name, address, phone number, bank account information, drivers license number and social security number. This is way too much information to allow on one document, especially if that document is misplaced or misappropriated. If the clerk refuses to take your check, ask to speak to the manager and make your concerns known. Otherwise, you may be exposing your personal information to unknown persons and you should really stay away from doing that! Use a debit card for your purchases to stay away from using checks in this manner.

That’s it for today! We will discuss more about Identity Theft next week!

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Welcome to our 2nd episode of the new year! Tonight, we will discuss the first type of ID Theft called Credit and Financial Identity Theft.

What is Credit and Financial Identity Theft?

When an ID Thief steals your bank account information, credit card information, savings account information or other types of financial data, they can not only access your existing accounts, however, they can also use this information to open new accounts in your name.

In most cases, an ID Thief will only access existing accounts and drain your accounts, thus stealing your money. At the same time, they will also sign up for credit cards, usually lots of them, and will use these new cards to further steal money from you. Remember, all of these credit cards are in your name with your address and information. The bills go to you!

What can you do to prevent this type of identity theft?

Not much, except to monitor your credit reports and financial statements for unauthorized withdrawals, etc. The first thing you need to do to begin your road to being safe with your accounts, is to check your credit reports. Not just one, but from all three of the major credit reporting agencies.

You are allowed by law, to get a free copy of your credit reports from all three agencies once a year! Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com to pickup your free copies.

By the way, stay away from places that claim to give you free credit reports. They only do this when you purchase a monthly monitoring service from them! We’ll talk more about these types of services in future episodes.

That’s it for tonight! Next week, we will discuss the next type of Identity Theft, Social Security Number Identity Theft.

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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. The U.S. Secret Service has estimated that consumers nationwide lose $745 million to identity theft each year. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the average victim spends 607 hours and averages $1,000 just to clear their credit records.

Identity thieves employ a variety of methods to gain access to your personal information. They may get information from businesses or other institutions by stealing it; by bribing an employee who has access to records; hacking into records; or conning information out of employees. Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may use it to commit a fraud or theft in your name.

How can you tell if you have become a victim of identity theft? Some signs include unexplained charges or withdrawals from your financial accounts; bills or other mail stop arriving (the thief may have submitted a change of address); a credit application is denied for no apparent reason, or debt collectors begin calling about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.

Your computer can be a goldmine of personal information to an identity thief. To protect yourself and your computer against identity theft consider:

• Updating virus protection software frequently. Consider setting your virus protection software to update automatically. The Windows XP operating system also can be set to check for patches automatically and download them to your computer.
• Not opening files sent to you by strangers, clicking on hyperlinks, or downloading programs from people or companies you don’t know.
• Using a firewall program, especially if you use a high speed Internet connection like cable or DSL that leaves your computer connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
• Providing your personal or financial information through an organization’s secured website only. While not fool proof, a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL for a website that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for secure), may provide additional security.
• Not storing your financial information on your laptop, unless absolutely necessary.
• Deleting all the personal information stored on a computer before disposing of it. A wipe” utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive is recommended.
• Checking with an anti-fraud education organization such as CardCops (www.cardcops.com). Card Cops runs a web site designed to help consumers determine whether their credit card numbers may have been stolen. They monitor Internet “chat rooms” where identity thieves illicitly trade and sell stolen credit card numbers. CardCops turns the information over to law enforcement authorities, but also allows consumers to access their database to see whether individual card numbers may have been stolen. In the first two months of operation, the site identified more than 100,000 stolen credit cards.

As with any crime, you can not completely control whether you will become a victim, but you can take steps to minimize your risk by remaining diligent and by minimizing outside access to your personal information.

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When it comes to identity theft, you will need to first understand that this is a problem that is growing concern. You will need to think about shows like Dateline and how they show the emotional abuse that you take during this difficult time. You will need to keep in mind that identity theft is a very serious subject that will cause you emotional and financial pains.

It is very important that you protect yourself from fraud through social security numbers, checks, credit cards, driver’s licenses and more. You never want to throw away anything that has any of personal information on. You will want to follow some of the tips listed throughout this article in order to keep yourself safe from identity theft.

First, you will want to make sure that you keep your bank statements, medical bills, and mail safe from those who are preying on your neighborhood. You will also want to protect yourself from computer fraud by taking the appropriate measures. You will find that shredding all of your personal and private mail is a good way for you to protect yourself. Keep in mind that you can use this paper for several tasks around the house, like for the bedding of your hamster or small pets. You will also want to consider burning some of your papers and mail after you have shredded it in order for you to keep yourself protected. You really should never carry your checkbook, birth certificate, or even your social security card in your wallet or purse. This is just one way of losing it all. Keep in mind that there are alternatives to using checks.

Make sure that you keep all your personal information, personal. You will want to make sure that you protect yourself from fraud by not having your social security number written on your checks or anything else. It is only common sense in some cases, but you will find that common sense is one of the best ways of protecting yourself from identity theft.

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For those who have heard about identity theft, you know exactly what happens to the victims. You will want to keep in mind that this could happen to anyone at any time. A lot of people assume that it could never happen to them, but it could be happening right now and you would never even know.

You have to consider that everyone is at risk for identity theft.

When it comes to the thief, you will find that it is mostly for them to gain social status or just obtain a lot of nice things. You will also find that it could be someone who is skilled and well educated or it could be someone who is just trying to get by. You will find that anyone could run a scam like this.

Most of the time these criminals are caught, but this is because they are simply not good at it or because they learned the trade from another criminal.

As for the use of credit cards and so on, you will notice that there is some protection now from identity theft, however, you will still need to prove who purchased what. You will fraud is often done for the simplest purchases, because no one would ever suspect it to be fraud.

How, could you know if you a victim? A lot of thieves will look for the easiest targets. You will also find that these victims are also targets that take little to no effort. Often, thieves will have a real, day job.

Thieves often look for those who wouldn’t expect identity theft. It is mostly the elderly that become prime targets.

You will want to keep in mind that you should never talk to those over the phone about your personal information. It could be a scam. Often they will pretend to be working for a charity or they will ask you to pay for something that you apparently have won. You will want to use your head in situations like these.

Keep in mind that it is not just the elderly who become victims, but it could simply be someone who you know that is trying to pull a fast one. You will need to educate yourself on identity theft more so that you can keep yourself safe.

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There are a lot of people who dislike taking good care of their checkbook; however, you will want to keep in mind that there are some alternatives to having checks. Really, checks are unnecessary in today’s world but people continue to use keep their paper trail.

Keep in mind that when you use a lot of checks you are putting yourself at risk for ruin. You may think that this is a little bit too dramatic, but it is possible to have identity theft through check fraud.

You may think that checks are convenient or you may be too scared to switch to a debit card, but you will want to change your view on things for the sake of your future.

You will find that that checks tend to be very damaging because you are giving out a lot of personal information. With each and every check you will find that you’ll be given them your account number and the routing numbers as well.

With a check, others can get into your check account and switch money into their account and have it all withdrawn and gone before you even notice. You will want to keep in mind that it will pop up on your statement, but by then, the damage is done.

Don’t forget that you are also giving out your personal information when it comes to address and name. You may even have your spouses name on the checks as well. Now they are able to steal two identities at once. You will find that others will place things like their social security or phone number on the checks as well. There is really no reason for you to place either bit of information on a check. If you are asked for it, then you can write it in yourself.

With information like your social security number, you will find that strangers can get into your home, your bank accounts, your credit cards, and even some of your utility bills.

You need to protect yourself against this and you will want to be very careful about any and all information that you give out on checks. Sometimes you need to use checks, but it is best that you get into the habit of using a debit card, because it is harder to steal someone’s identity, and you don’t leave such a personal impression on others either.

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For those who have never had identity theft happen, then you probably just think that its someone using credit cards that are in someone else’s name. But, it really doesn’t work like that too often. You will want to keep in mind that there are a million ways someone can steal your personal information and id, however, you will want to keep in mind that it may just be as simple as your driver’s license.

Driver’s licenses are a very common way you can have your identity stolen and your life ruined. Usually, someone will take the driver’s license and have it altered so that it looks like them.

If someone is willing to go through all of that, then you will want to consider that this is a person who is running from authorities. You will notice that these types of criminals are looking for a fast way out. Often, they will disappear and relocate under your name.

This is, obviously, the last thing that you want is to end up in jail for a crime that you never committed.

It is very hard for you to prove who you are and who the other person isn’t. You will want to keep in mind that this could take days to clear up. In the mean time, you may have to spend some time in jail until your name is cleared.

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It has now become a serious issue. You will find that your computer is one of the newer ways that identity theft occurs. You will need to understand that this can happen to you if you end up using online services that are not secure.

You will want to keep in mind that intelligent identity theft is one of the easiest ways for others to destroy your life. Imagine someone hacking into your computer and having it reveal all of your information and possible secrets. You will want to make sure that you never donate or throw anything any that has to deal with your computer or computer files. This is one of the easiest ways for others to get your information.

You will also time that a lot of people will dispose of their old computer without giving it a second thought, but you need to make sure that your computer is completely disabled before you allow it to leave the comfort of your home. It is important that your realize that your computer has cookies and bookmarks, as well as, saved files and emails that could give away a lot of important, private information.

For those who are at high risk, you have to consider the internet use. A lot of collect students will put themselves at risk from constant online transactions. Everything can be found online when it comes to student records and even grades. It is very important that you learn how to protect yourself while online.

As for your online passwords, you will want to make sure that it is just a random password. You really don’t want to make it easy for others to figure out.

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Often there is a lot of work and hassle in clearing someone’s name. You will find that when it comes to your identity, you will be financial ruined for a very long time. You will have to deal with credit card fraud, money stolen, and even your personal name will be ruined for years to come. There are people who are still being questioned about their identity from a scam that happened ten years ago.

When it comes to what the media tends to portray, you will want to consider that they do not give you the pain and suffering side of being a victim. You will want to consider that this is a very emotional devastating time and you may even have to deal with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Imagine losing all your savings. Everything that you have ever worked hard could be taken off of you. How would you feel? You will want to make sure that you think about protecting all of the many things that you have worked on to achieve and obtain.

You couldn’t imagine the pain and suffering that you would feel when you wake up one day to see that your bank accounts have been emptied. You too would be troubled and upset to say the least.

There are many different ways that you can recover from the fraud financially, but what about the emotional aspect? The first step is to alert the police about the fraud. Then you will need to talk to the police about the referrals to counseling services to help you through this difficult time. It will be hard for you to allow others to see your trust. You will also want to take steps to protect yourself from this happening again.

You don’t want to just through all your business in the garbage. It is very important that you shred everything. You will also want to think about taking a plan of action for your future so that you can stabilize your life.

You will also need to lean on others during this time of need. It is very important that you have your family and friends about you. It could take months to help sort out the problem and you will want to take inconsideration of asking for help from some of those who are closest to you. Don’t be afraid to lean on anyone for emotional support during this time of need.

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