I'm not worried about the cash or gift cards, but my SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and ADDRESS were on the permit. What can I do to NOT get my identity stolen? I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it. I'm terrified.SERIOUS HELP/ADVICE! Wallet stolen last night. How can I protect myself from identity theft?
Make a police report, if you have credit cards, contact the companies and contact the credit bureaus. You have to move quickly though just in case someone tries to open up a line of credit for something in your name.SERIOUS HELP/ADVICE! Wallet stolen last night. How can I protect myself from identity theft?
Amber,there is a company called ';lifelock'; and this company can lookout for you in the future..also contact the social security administration and advise them that you ssn has been compromised.some people try to get passports with your ss#.Lifelock rocks!!
Report Abuse
Call the card companies immediately and contact all 3 of the credit bureaus.
Never again should you ever have your ssn on your person. Memorize it and keep it at home. I never carry it. I leave it at home.
This little exercise may haunt you for a couple of years. Good luck.
cancel all credit cards and bank cards. after that,..jsut keep an eye on your accts and report to your bank that your info was stolen. That way, there will be a paper trail and you won't be charged with any purchases that were not yours.
HURRY! i;d do this now!
put a Fraud Alert on your Credit Reports
Amber May,
I work for a not for profit credit counseling agency and we provide financial advice about many topics incuding identity theft.--
Identity Theft 鈥?It can happen to you.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge to access your bank or credit card accounts, open up new accounts, commit fraud or other crimes.
8.9 million Americans have been victims of identity theft this year and almost half of all identity theft is perpetrated by someone you know. Don鈥檛 let it happen to you!
Unfortunately you can鈥檛 prevent identity theft but you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Follow these tips to help reduce your risk:
飪?Make sure any personal information in your home is secure.
飪?Keep your wallet or purse in a safe place at work.
飪?Make sure you memorize all passwords and PINs for your accounts. NEVER WRITE THEM DOWN. Avoid using obvious ones like your birth date, telephone #, social security #, or even a series of consecutive numbers.
飪?Don鈥檛 give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or internet, unless you initiated the contact.
飪?Always shred documents containing personal information and cut up old credit cards before discarding.
飪?Never write your credit card account numbers on the outside of the payment envelope.
飪?If possible install a locked mailbox at your residence or use a Post Office Box.
飪?Carry only the credit, debit cards, identification, social security cards that you will need on that particular day.
飪?Don鈥檛 open any emails or files sent to you by strangers.
飪?Before disposing of a computer delete all personal information off of the hard drive.
However, even if you are cautious, you can still be victimized.
Be aware of signs that you may be a victim:
飪?If you notice unexplained charges or withdrawals on your financial accounts.
飪?If you receive credit cards you didn鈥檛 apply for.
飪?If you are no longer receiving bills or other mail.
飪?If you were denied credit (and you know your credit history is good).
飪?If you receive calls or letters from debt collectors about merchandise or services you did not purchase.
飪?If a merchant refuses to accept your checks because you have a history of bouncing them (when you鈥檝e never bounced a check before).
What to do if you suspect you are a victim:
飪?Place fraud alerts on your file at each of the three credit reporting bureaus:
Equifax 1.800.525.6285
Experian 1.888.397.3742
TransUnion 1.800.680.7289
飪?Call each company where accounts were fraudulently opened in your name. Make sure you document everything concerning these contacts.
飪?Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1.877.438.4338 to obtain an ID Theft Affidavit to send to the companies with fraudulent accounts.
飪?File a police report.
飪?Get copies of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus to check for errors. Then get another copy to ensure that the fraudulent information has been removed.
Be sure to order your credit report at least twice a year to check for errors and any strange activity. All citizens are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three credit reporting bureaus by calling 1.877.322.8228 or by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.
Important: According to the FTC, children are the latest targets of identity thieves. More than half a million youngsters have been victimized to date. Children are easy targets since the crime can go undetected for many years. Be sure to always keep your child鈥檚 social security number secure.
Want to learn more? Call us for a no-cost consultation about this and other financial topics.
Toll free: 1.888.354.6332
Debt Counseling Corp. is a not-for-profit organization
providing education, counseling and advocacy to consumers like you.
3033 Expressway Drive North, Hauppauge, NY 11749 0307
A brighter tomorrow鈥? Licensed by the New York State Banking Department
Visit our website: www.DebtCounselingCorp.org
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