Protecting Your Credit
Good credit is important in qualifying for the best rates on home loans. If your credit is good, congratulations. You've worked hard to get there. Unfortunately, there's no time to rest. There are plenty of people out there who will go to great lengths to "pretend" they're you.
More than 500,000 Americans are victims of identity theft every year. What is identity theft? Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to take on that person's identity. With your identity, thieves can commit crimes, make unauthorized purchases, open other credit accounts, and the list goes on. Meanwhile, you may not even know what’s happening. They do all that in a matter of days or weeks. By the time you discover what’s happened, it may be too late. At the very least, you’ll face years of lost money and added frustration as you work to restore your credit, bank account, and reputation.
The best way to protect yourself from identity theft is to take preventative steps. I’ve got a few ideas I’ve learned over the years as a Realtor. I’m so concerned about this problem, I’ve taken some time to research and organize these tips to protect your identity:
1. Carry only the credit/debit cards you use and keep others in a safe place.
2. If a card ever becomes lost or stolen, notify your credit card company quickly.
3. Be watchful of shoulder-surfers. At ATMs, for example, thieves will try and spy your PIN number as you punch it in.
4. Check your credit card receipts. Not all credit card receipts hide full account numbers and expiration dates. Tear up everything. Buy a shredder if you need one. In addition to credit card receipts, shred old bank statements, medical statements, bills, and pre-approved credit card offers. Any document that has personal financial information on it can give an identity thief an inroad.
5. NEVER throw away personal financial information in the trash. Dumpster-divers are just waiting for the opportunity.
6. Monitor your credit and bank accounts carefully. Check in at least once every week. That way, you'll know if a bill's missing or unauthorized purchases have been made. If you wait until you receive a paper statement, it may be too late.
7. Cut up unused credit cards and close out those accounts.
8. You don’t need ten credit cards. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track them.
9. Get a credit report at least once a year. Look for personal information and credit accounts that are not yours.
10. And here’s a biggie. Mailbox raiders are on the rise. Never leave paid bills in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a post office box.
11. On a similar note, contact all your creditors and update them of your address changes if you move. You don't want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address.
12. Protect your Social Security number. Don’t use it as an account number. If merchants demand it, tell them “tough.”
13. Don’t print your Social Security Number on your checks.
14. Don’t carry your Social Security number and driver license together in your wallet.
15. Don't give your Social Security number or account numbers over the phone through a telephone solicitation.
16. If you shop online, look for https in the URL instead of the usual http. That means the site encrypts (i.e. turns into code) your account information.
17. Only shop on Web sites that offer a privacy policy. This establishes a method for protecting your personal information that you can understand and either agree or disagree with.
Your credit is all-important, not just for obtaining a mortgage, but for buying a car, getting a job or getting the best insurance rates. Do what you can to protect it.
CONGRATS ON THE NEW WEB SITE!
http://www.brittmorrishomes.com/index.cfm
Posted by: Johnny Seale | February 15, 2007 at 07:10 AM