Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Financial Information and Personal Identity From Fraud


Financial fraud and identity fraud are one of the fasted growing forms of fraud. The first line of defense to protecting yourself begins with you. Here are some steps you can take to help you protect and fight against financial and identity fraud.

1. Review and Protect Your Information - The first line of defense in financial fraud is to periodically check your credit report to ensure all your information is accurate. Remember there are three credit agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) which all operate independently. Make sure you check your credit report from all three because they may each have different information.

2. Destroy Credit Card Mail Offers and Old Financial Documents - If you receive direct or pre-approved solicitations in the mail for new credit cards and do not use them make sure you shred or tear them up before throwing them away. In addition, shred all financial papers including cancelled checks, old bank account statements, or any document with your identity.

3. Watch Out For E-mail or Telephone Fraudsters - Never give your personal or financial information out on the internet or phone unless you initiated the contact. This is especially true with giving out your social security or credit card number. Watch out for e-mails from fraudsters that state they need your account information or credit card number to update your account with your bank or an online company like e-bay. Never give out personal information over e-mail! Many times these e-mails will have links for you to click on that take you to a website that looks authentic. However more times than not, it is a scam to get your personal and financial information.

4. Social Security Number - Keep your social security number in a safe place with other financial documents. DO NOT carry your social security card in your wallet and remember to shred your old social security statements. It is also recommended to not store your social security number on your computer as hackers may have access to it. Never print your social security number on your checks, credit card or drivers licenses.

5. Incoming / Outgoing Mail - Pick up incoming mail promptly and do not send outgoing mail in your residential mail box. Make every effort to keep your mail as securely as possible when it leaves your house.

6. Monthly Bills - If your monthly bills stop arriving, take action quickly. Notify the company right away. Also, review your monthly statements promptly and if you see charges or items on your bills that you do not recognize get them resolved immediately.

7. Credit Cards / ATMs - Report lost or stolen credit cards and ATM cards immediately. Be sure to carry the 1-800 numbers of your bank and credit card company in your wallet.

8. Age Matters - If you are over the age of 50 you are more likely to be targeted for financial fraud. Therefore, keep this in the back of your mind as you handle your daily tasks and personal information.

Most analysts forecast financial fraud and identity thief to cause financial loss to hundreds of thousands people in the next five years and beyond. While fraudsters are very slick and you can never be 100% safe the steps above can assist in you significantly deterring yourself and family from being a victim.

Copyright (c) 2004, by Jay Fran This article may be freely distributed as long as the copyright, author's information and the following active live link is published with the article:

http://www.motorcycle-financing-guide.com/bad-credit-motorcycle-loans.html

Jay Fran is a successful author and publisher at Motorcycle-Financing-Guide.com, a comprehensive resource on bad credit motorcycle loans, motorcycle financing, military motorcycle loans and online motorcycle loans.



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Kansas.com

Loans by top TARP banks fall in Jan -US Treasury
Reuters
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - The nine top US banks that received government rescue funds in January made the fewest amount of new loans since October, ...
Treasury Report Shows Drop In Small-Business LoansNASDAQ
Too small to succeed? Firms still aren't getting the loans they needCharlotteObserver.com
Five Star Bank gets national exposureBizjournals.com (blog)
Charlottesville Daily Progress -Worcester Business Journal -Press-Enterprise
all 139 news articles »


New York Times (blog)

A New Source for Student Loans
New York Times (blog)
President Obama's plan to have the government provide loans directly to students instead of using commercial lenders was ...
Students rally to support student loan billDaily Free Press (subscription)
Direct loans and health-care reform: two great tastes that go great togetherWashington Post (blog)
The Federal Family Education Loan Program's Impact on the Student Loans Market ...Marketwire (press release)
Human Events (blog) -University of Texas at Austin News -Politico
all 13 news articles »


Washington Post

Greek PM: Not Asking For EU Financial Aid; Seek Cheaper Loans
Wall Street Journal
(Adds details, including the Greek prime minister stressing that the European Union should implement measures to strengthen its economic policy. ...
Greek Aid Options Include Loans, Dutch Minister SaysBusinessWeek
European finance ministers agree Greek loans dealIrish Times
Greece welcomes emergency loan pledge from EUThis is London
EUobserver.com -Financial Times -The Associated Press
all 2,156 news articles »



New York Times (blog)

Junk Bond Avalanche Looms for Credit Markets
New York Times (blog)
That is because the record number of bonds and loans that were issued to finance those transactions typically come due in five to seven years, ...

and more »


MyFox Phoenix

Bad Credit Unsecured Personal Loans – Banks Offering Low Interest Loans Today
Subprime Blogger (blog)
If you are looking for a bank that is offering low interest loans today you must first understand that your interest rate will be greatly dependent on your ...
Can A Personal Loan Improve Your Credit Score And Repair A Bad Credit Score?Red, White, and Blue Press (blog)
There's need for payday loansArizona Republic
Traditional Banks Offering Alternative Payday LoansPR Web (press release)
The Gamecock -BigNews.biz (press release) -SBWire (press release)
all 26 news articles »


Economic injury loans for businesses
Jackson County Floridan
The US Small Business Administration announced Monday that the federal economic injury disaster loans are available to Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Baker, ...
Small Lauderdale businesses eligible for low-interest loansTimes Daily
Extension of Popular SBA Loan Program Runs Out March 31San Diego Business Journal
Working-capital loans made without collateralSarasota Herald-Tribune
Earthtimes (press release) -Red, White, and Blue Press (blog) -Times-Journal
all 17 news articles »


New York Times (blog)

Boyd opposes student-loan legislation
Tallahassee.com
But Boyd's vote focused on the inclusion of student-loan legislation that he opposes rather than any health provisions. The loan portion of the legislation ...
Huge Student Loan Overhaul Set to Be Tacked Onto Health Care ReformPolitics Daily (blog)
Move on student loans could win healthcare votes, House Dems sayThe Hill
Panel on the Back and Forth Votes on Health Care ReformFOXNews

all 1,520 news articles »


WTHI

Connecticut lawmakers consider bill to forgive student loans
Credit Loan (blog)
New legislation would forgive student loan debt for Connecticut residents who go into 'green' jobs, according to a report by the Associated Press. ...
Conn. would waive student loans in 'green' jobsThe Associated Press
Make Green By Working GreenNBC Connecticut

all 234 news articles »


Newsday (subscription)

Real estate: Some loans in 'technical default'
Newsday (subscription)
Loans that financed Long Island's largest real estate transaction, which allowed for the purchase of a group of office buildings in Woodbury, ...

and more »

Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

© Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved