| Quick facts on Identity Theft |
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For the seventh year in a row the Federal Trade Commission reported IDENTITY THEFT as the #1 item on the consumer complaints list. In 2006 Identity Theft accounted for 36% of the total consumer complaints. The FTC also reported that credit card fraud topped the list of identity theft complaints at 25% followed by phone & utilities fraud by 16%, bank fraud by 16% and employment fraud at 14%. The federal trade commission estimates that as many as 10 million American’s become victims of identity theft every year.
Based on a survey conducted it is estimated that the total loss due to identity theft was put at approximately $50 billion, with the median individual fraud per victim at $5700. |
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| What is Identity Theft? |
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| Identity theft comes in many forms. Credit Card Fraud is the most common form of identity theft, where your credit card information falls into the wrong hands and is misused to make unauthorized transactions in your name. Identity theft occurs every time someone uses you name, social security number (SSN#) or your financial information like you credit card number without your permission to commit fraud or crime. |
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| How is identity stolen? |
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| We live in electronic age where going online is part of our daily lives. We receive tons of spam email that could install spyware or viruses which could compromise our online security. It could also occur when you loose your wallet and someone gets access to your credit card and personal information. Who does not receive junk email at home? This junk email is often filled with your personal information and in some cases even pre-approved credit card offers. If you don’t take the right measures in destroying this data before disposing it, you could be leaving vital information out there in the garbage. |
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| Deter Identity Theft and Identity Thieves |
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| There are a number of steps you can take to ensure your identity is safely guarded. These steps will make sure you do not leave vital information out there for identity thieves to access either intentionally or by chance. The best form of prevention is to deter identity thieves from getting your data in the first place. |
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| Detect Identity Theft as it happens |
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| Identity theft although the most commonly committed crime often goes undetected for a long period of time. Reports suggest that it sometimes takes up to 12 months for someone to realize that they have become a victim of identity theft. Monitoring your financial records is often the best way to stay alert and spot any fraud that may have taken place using your data. |
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| Defend yourself from Identity Theft |
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| With over 10 million Americans becoming victims of identity theft it is important that you know what to do incase your identity is stolen. It is important to take quick steps to ensure your vital information is protected and you recover from the potential damage identity theft could cause to you and your family’s life both emotionally and financially. |
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| HERE IS A LIST OF TOP IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION PRODUCTS THAT CAN SAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM IDENTITY THEFT |
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