Many states make free credit reports available to consumers. In addition, a number of Web sites, including some from credit reporting agencies, will provide people with free credit reports.

Knowing what’s on your credit report is important. Credit reports can alert you to fraud and can also give you insight into where you stand financially.

Request your free credit report today.

(photo credit: rashdan)

There are a number of steps you can take to keep your personal information private. One easy thing you can do is to keep your Social Security card stored in a locked fire-proof safe. Never carry your Social Security card in your wallet.

You should also shred documents containing any important information in a confetti-cut shredder. Bank statements, bills, credit card offers and more should be shredded.

Protecting yourself from identity theft is easy. Take the necessary precautions today.

(photo credit: d70focus)

In April of 2005, I worked out of state for one month. In June, I opened one of my credit card bills and immediately knew there was a problem.The balance was much too high. This was a card I rarely ever used yet the statement revealed a whole page of charges. Upon closer examination I realized I had paid someones rent, utilities and cell phone charges for the month of May. They had also purchased a new computer, signed up for internet service and had many elaborate meals at my expense. I was horrified. I immediately called the credit card holder to alert them and followed their advice in resolving this unfortunate act of dishonesty.

The current estimates are that over a million people file police reports each year stating someone used their credit without their knowledge or permission. The costs are estimated to be as high as 500 million dollars. The situations vary from a small purchase to the total theft of another persons identity. One of the most devastating schemes today is falsely assuming the ownership of real estate and then selling the property. The real owner doesn’t know until they are forced to vacate their property. By then the theft has the proceeds and is long gone. Many times they are unable to recover their property.

It is my opinion that the most important thing we can all do to guard against identity theft is to be vigilant. Review your statements each month. Keep good records. Protect your personal and credit related information. Question and report any suspicious activity. Identity theft is a form of abuse - someone else is mistreating you and your credit. Just as we fight against other forms of abuse, we should do everything in our power to stop identity theft.

Margaret Norton, Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, resides in St. Peters, Missouri.

Over half the victims of identity theft involves credit card use. Usually someone opens an account in another person’s name or uses their credit card account without permission.

Bank fraud involves opening a checking or savings account in someone else’s name, or writing a check on another persons account. Often the checks are stolen.

About one fourth of identity thief involves opening a cell phone or utility account using the personal information of someone else.

Fraudulent loans involve obtaining a loan, usually an installment contract, using another persons identity.

Identity thief can be prevented by following the following steps:

Store all documents with personal information in a safe place. If you don’t want to keep it, then shred before putting in the trash, especially pre-approved applications.

Don’t display personal information on public documents.

Avoid putting your social security number on your drivers license. Don’t have phone numbers pre-printed on checks. Often the thief already has information about you and they’re just looking for one more piece of information that leads to you.

Make sure your mail is delivered to a secure place. If you are in an isolated area consider placing a lock on the box. Arrange for someone else to get your mail if you are out of town.

Check out any change in mail delivery patterns. Thieves sometimes complete change of address forms for their victims.

Open all credit card, installment and mortgage loan statements. Know what your balances are and what charges you’ve made. Report any suspicious charges or activity.

Know your rights.

Be cautious when buying over the phone or internet.

The above list does not cover everything a person can do to safeguard their credit, but if you follow these steps you are off to a good start.

Margaret Norton, a Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, resides in St. Peters, Missouri,

(photo credit: piper)

I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone. The grocery store on the corner allowed me to put food on my father’s tab without any verification from me. My father probably opened the account with his word only that he’d pay the bill. Individuals needing more money either worked a second job, accepted help from the community or did without. But today many dishonest individuals use the internet to steal the identity of others.

There are things you can do to protect yourself.

Purchase only from secured internet sites. Usually secure sites will tell you they are secure. You should also look for the closed lock icon at the bottom of the page.

Be cautious when allowing companies to store/keep your personal credit information for future purchases.

Be careful when reading emails, especially attachments and chain letters. If you don’t know the person or the company, don’t open the email. Thieves sometimes use chain letters and attachments as a way to verify your information and add more people to their hit list. Report any suspicious mail to your email provider.

Don’t fall for letters stating you’ve won a prize and need to do something - like deposit money in their account - to claim your prize.

Employment offers are another scheme infiltrating the internet today. There are numerous job sites with millions of resumes available to the wrong person. The thief usually sends you a letter offering you a job which matches the education and skills listed on your resume. The letter probably states you already have the job, the benefits are incredible and the salary is high. But before you start work they need you to complete an application. If you do that, they have all your personal information, and you probably do not have a job.

Use common sense to prevent internet identity fraud. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a hoax. Keep copies of all your purchases, make copies of confirmations and receipts and always get a phone number.

Margaret Norton, a Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, from St. Peters, Missouri.

Many senior citizens today do not live close to family. They are often alone during a time in their lives when they probably need a little extra attention. Their vision, hearing, and mental capacities may be declining. Giving up driving privileges and bad health usually isolates individuals even more. They are prime targets for unscrupulous individuals looking to make a quick buck.

This age group did not grow up with computers and many of them do not have a computer at home. They are more likely to be taken advantage of by phone or by someone knocking on their front door. Because they are often lonely they don’t always hang up when a stranger calls. They need attention and someone to acknowledge them. The smart criminal knows this and quickly puts the person at ease with smooth talking and compliments.

The elderly are also taken advantage of by individuals coming into their home. Sometimes it’s the thief breaking in who steals their credit cards and personal information. Other times its a repairman promising to perform a service but instead steals from them. There are many honest custodial care providers who work hard daily and genuinely care for those they attend to. But occasionally a dishonest worker steals money and credit cards from the unsuspecting senior citizen.

Individuals who can no longer write, handle their bank accounts or pay their bills are always vulnerable. For some caretakers, exposed to this opportunity, the temptation to steal is greater than they can resist.

Often when a senior citizen reaches this point they are no longer capable of using common sense. Its difficult to protect themselves or their personal information. If they recognize a problem they are probably embarrassed to ask for help. Sometimes they do turn to family and sometimes it’s family that’s taking advantage of them. As a society its up to us to be more aware of whats happening around us. Don’t be afraid to get involved or ask questions if you suspect there’s a problem.

This age group tends to have the same habits and patterns. Drastic changes could be a red flag. New friends, especially isolating and controlling behavior, might be a problem.

Identity theft affects all of us with higher interest rates. Companies are often unable to collect money stolen or get reimbursed for fraudulent credit card charges. This weakens their financial position which means more service charges and higher interest rates for us. Everyone benefits when we look out for the individuals who can no longer look out for themselves.

Margaret Norton, a Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, resides in St. Peters, MO.

(photo credit: RebelBlueAngel)

The first thing to do is remain calm. Gather all the facts while making a plan of action. Depending upon the circumstances, identity theft can be solved quickly or it may take years of aggravating, hard work.

Consumers today are flooded, on line and in their mail boxes, with offers to protect their credit. Most of these are legitimate but some are not. Often the first warning that someone has used your identity is when a company reports a new account has been opened or a new purchase has been made. Waiting until the bill arrives could take weeks - giving the thief more opportunities to make fraudulent purchases.

If you’re thinking about purchasing identity theft protection, shop the various plans, compare the price and benefits, then decide which product best meets your needs.

Individuals with credit protection plans usually have to make only one phone call, to the company providing the coverage. That company notifies the credit bureaus and creditors involved. After the initial calls are made, you have to sign statements/forms regarding what happened. Most companies turn fraudulent charges over to investigative personnel. Depending upon the amount, you might have to appear in court to testify, or even file formal charges with the proper authorities.

Individuals not having credit protection do the initial leg work. It’s essential that you contact the three major credit bureaus. They will put a statement on your credit report notifying others that you are the victim of identity theft. Any new creditors are required by law to contact you before extending new credit. Once this is done, you need to contact the companies involved asking them to cancel the credit card, stop the service, or do whatever is necessary to recover the goods and collect payment from the perpetrator. The important thing is to follow their instructions. Usually you will not be responsible for payment but you have to sometimes prove your own identity as well as complete all paperwork/steps required by the companies involved.

If there’s a lot of money stolen you might have to contact an attorney. Individuals tend to get angry when asked to spend their money and time defending fraudulent charges. But in the long run this can make your life easier while helping you reclaim or restore your identity. Sometimes drastic measures are required such as getting a post office box, new drivers license and new credit cards. If the theft was on line it is more difficult to trace. You’d want to cancel all existing credit card numbers, create new usernames and passwords, and close any suspicious on line accounts.

It’s never fun or easy when you’re the victim of identity theft. But you can’t sit back and just let it happen. It’s your identity, do all you can to protect it.

Margaret Norton, a Personal Life Coach/Writer/Speaker, resides in St. Peters, MO.

(photo credit: angelinawb)