When you get your free annual credit report from the government, you may not realize that identity theft is closely related to credit reports, so protect yourself before you become another victim of the fastest growing crime in the world. USA.
There are many scams on the net that you should be aware of, have you heard of Triangulation? or how imposter websites will trick people into providing their credit card details.
Let’s take a look at some of the typical signs of identity theft on the Internet.
Bills and statements are late or do not arrive at your residence. Collection agencies or creditors contact you regarding accounts you do not have or show charges for which you are not responsible. Financial statements show withdrawals or transfers that you did not make. Denial of credit or offer of less favorable credit conditions. Perhaps as a high interest rate, for no apparent reason; Y. Calls or letters from debt collectors or companies about goods or services you did not purchase.
How bad is identity theft?
- Approximately 7 million people were victims of identity theft in the last 12 months.
- Victims now spend an average of 600 hours recovering from this terrifyingly invasive crime.
- Once every 79 total purchases.
- Identity theft statistics show that more than 8.20 million Americans had incorrect credit card information in the last year.
- Identity theft statistics show that the average loss for a business is $4,800.
- Total business losses from identity theft will exceed $47 billion in the last year. (Only U.S)
- The average loss for an individual is 30 hours and $500.
- Total personal losses will exceed 297 hours and $5 billion in the last year.
So how does identity theft happen? Identity theft is all around us and so pervasive that it will occur at every touch point we make when communicating with businesses. This includes the Internet, any registers, mail, ATMs, and direct, like having your wallet stolen or your house stolen.
Because we are looking at credit reports, these types of crimes operate primarily on the Internet.
One of the main scams is called “phishing”. It has become very popular. It happens when you receive emails from people posing as legitimate companies asking for your contact or credit card information. Some will directly ask you to send them a check.
Another related but slightly more complex term for “phishing” is called triangulation because the scammer sets up a “triangle” consisting of three different victims.
The first part of the scammer’s triangle is the victim’s number one point, or you, the consumer. The scammer has somehow obtained your credit card information that they will use to perpetrate the scam. This can happen when you get a credit report or use a credit reporting service.
You will visit a website and request the report; then it will be mailed to you. But what he doesn’t realize is that they bought the report using someone else’s credit card information. After they email it to you, they will demand payment from you (this usually happens via email), so never enter your details into a form or link to a website from an email.
At this stage, they have taken your credit card details and will use them for other reports for other unsuspecting customers and will repeat the same procedure with them; you will never be able to catch them because they move too fast. to collect coins and fight to remove fraudulent purchases on your card; this will damage your credit report and score. If you’ve been stung by identity theft, here’s what to do:
- First, notify the fraud department of the 3 credit monitoring agencies. Indicate that you have been a victim of identity theft and try to get an alert (you may have to pay for this)
- Then file a report with your police department, tell them all the details.
- Call the Department of Identity Fraud Protection’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT. This is the main center for reporting incidents of identity theft to the US government.
- Close accounts on your credit report that you believe were fraudulently opened in your name.
- If your ATM card, bank accounts, or checking accounts have been affected, close those accounts as soon as possible.
- Notify your local postal inspector, since they have undoubtedly used your personal address information, you should close this address and open a new P.O. Box.
- Your social security number may have been used; contact the Social Security Administration to verify that your name and reported income are correct.
- Contact the three credit bureaus, such as Experian, Equifax Credit Monitoring, and TransUnion. Be sure to check your credit reports carefully to make sure no more fraudulent accounts have been opened.
Be sure to do your homework when you get a credit report. Know the scams: For more information and other tips and tricks, visit [http://www.credit-reporter.net]. To get your free credit report today, visit www.credit-reporter.net [http://www.credit-reporter.net]