Identity Theft: Identity Thieves Show No Preference to “Social Targets”

Identity Theft: Identity Thieves Show No Preference to “Social Targets”
By: Debra Gravelle

Identity theft does not discriminate. This social outbreak holds no grudges against age, sex, religion or social status. A malicious attack of identity theft is silent of alarm, leaving very little in trail for the devastation of destruction that was, once upon a time, calm in our daily routines.

Statistically speaking, identity theft accounted for 52.6Billion dollars of losses last year alone according to the 'Financial Crimes Report to the Public' by the FBI, and effecting more than 9.91 million Americans. It is no longer a question of ''if'' the identity theft crime will occur but rather, ''when'' identity theft will come to pass. Sorry to say, it is you that unknowingly will be the identity thieves target by default.

With the constant and aggressive maneuvers of the ever growing rings of Identity Thieves within the past decade, Financial Institutions and Government Agencies have been forced to maintain their actions from a defensive point of view. Heavy Lobbying in Congress have only begun strengthening the laws that were intended to protect the Consumers as well as the Financial Institutions from the wrath of Identity Theft.

In an attempt to slow the innovated Identity Theft criminal, Credit Bureaus have made available to the public their first voluntary course of action, by allowing the consumer to create a barrier between the Identity Thief and the awarding Financial Institution: Thus, proactively placing an effective sense of identity theft protection for the consumer in advance.

Creating a barrier against these Identity Thieves and their silent malicious acts before any actual occurrence of identity theft, will be accomplished by requesting that a ''Fraud Alert'' be attached to your credit report. Fraud Alerts serve only as a barrier against identity theft and can not be considered your all time ''fix-all'' in an event of an actual identity theft crime. But as a first defense, it should be the first thing you would want to do if you don't think that identity theft will be a current direct threat towards your financial well being.

When you place an identity theft fraud alert within your credit report, it will prompt the creditor to investigate further into the identity of the person that has requested the credit line. The creditor, to avoid causing an occurrence of identity theft, will then attempt to verify that you have made the request by using an alternative contact for verification of identity. This process is usually done by telephone. If the creditor can not contact you via telephone to speak directly to you and verify your identity, the credit request will not be granted. By monitoring your credit report through the credit bureau, you in turn will be alerted of the suspicious activity and will have the opportunity take the proper actions in avoiding the identity theft crime.

When you voluntarily place the identity theft fraud alert on your credit report, the credit bureau will also notify other major credit bureaus about your fraud alert within 24 hours, maximizing the effect of your action against identity theft. As an added advantage, you will also be taken off any lists that offer pre-approved credit and insurance offers for up to two years.

The only real defense against protecting yourself from Identity Thieves is through education. Identity Theft is a serious crime and all available indications show that it has taken over our society with vengeance. Until our lobbyists and law makers in congress can take hold of tougher regulations and penalties concerning our protection and privacy, your only security of defense is: Taking Action with Your Own Defense against Identity Theft.

Download to Your No Cost Kit to Identity Theft: The Road Back to Recovery. Learn how to stop the threat of identity theft from affecting your family and friends.
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