Identity Theft: A Victims Guide

Every year, more and more people fall victim to perpetrators of identity theft. Since 2002 millions have lost money, credit and credibility. With our economy in recession, it is more important than ever to protect your identity.

With technology developing at an ever-increasing rate, identity thieves are finding it easier to steal personal information over the Internet. Statistics show that friends and family members also steal identity in some instances, so it is important to protect your personal information at all times.

Victims of identity theft sometimes have a difficult time getting back on track. Thieves use stolen identities to rack up debt, file bankruptcy, commit additional crimes, cover crimes, etc. It can be an ongoing battle to clear your name once it has been used illegitimately.

Credit bureaus do not remove actions committed by thieves from your credit records. Rather, they might flag a bankruptcy record with the word ‘resolved’ or ‘cleared.’ When lenders see a Fraud Alert on your credit report, they don’t know who committed the crime and can make mistaken assumptions. It may become difficult to get credit, so prepare to save money for your future. If possible, keep the money in a safe place or in a newly opened bank account.

If you fall victim to identity theft, report the crime to your local authorities immediately. Next, visit the Federal Trade Commission Consumers site and file a complaint, alerting the government that your identity was stolen. Monitor your bank accounts and credit reports diligently, and report any new defilement. You will also need to contact the credit bureaus and alert them that your identity was stolen.

Read all the local information you can about identity theft and prevention. Some states place freezes on your credit accounts to prevent access by anyone but you. Other states only permit Fraud Alerts, which do little for the victim. These alerts stay on your credit reports for about three months unless the perpetrator continues to use your identity. To protect your self from further identity theft change all passwords and PIN numbers at random. If you use the Internet erase all traces of your activity once you have left a site. If you order online, make sure the site is secure and destroy traces of your personal information immediately by clicking Tools at the top of your Internet page, then Delete Cookies, Delete Files and Clear History. You can also perform this action by clicking Start at the bottom of your screen, Control Panel, then Internet Options. Protect your computer with Spyware and Antivirus programs.

It can be easy to catch identity thieves who are family members or acquaintances, but if your identity is stolen online there is no guarantee that the perpetrator will be caught. The Internet is one of the easiest places from which thieves steal or lure victims into a web of crime and hate. Unfortunately, most of these people never get caught.