Ways to avoid identity theft

Identity theft has been the fasted growing crime for years now. In fact some studies say one happens every 3 seconds. How do they get this information? Surprisingly, not from you. Most are the result of data theft, thousands of records taken from a retail store for example.
What can you do? Nothing really. Something like that is out of your control. But, you can keep an eye on your credit and be notified if someone uses it. All three credit agencies are required to offer a free monitoring service.
To sign up is easy and free. First contact one of the main three reporting agencies (www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, www.transunion.com) and sign up for their Fraud Alert program. They will have paid offerings but the free one is what we are after.
Once you join several things will happen. First, the company you joined is required to also notify the remaining two agencies so all three will be watching. Second, while signing up, select to opt-out of un-solicited offers. This prevents random credit checks and will end those annoying credit offers.
Third and most important, you will be notified of any suspicious credit activity. If you don’t receive any alerts (a good thing) you will at least get a monthly report.
Now there is a catch, a free account is good only for 90 days so you will have to renew, but hey, it’s free.
There you have it. This is what companies on TV are charging you for. But, for a few minutes of your time you can do it yourself and save the money. I still wouldn’t put my Social Security number on the side of a truck though.

By Chris Kaminski
Lone Bird Studio Ltd.
Lone Bird Studio Ltd. is a web design and seo company in Asheville,NC