Are You The Only One Using Your Name?

Identity theft has become an epidemic. Millions and millions of purses and wallets are stolen everyday and many of them are not just taken for the money inside. Thieves can use your credit cards to buy whatever they want to and whose credit does it ruin? Yours. Now, you are probably thinking about how easy it is or you to cancel your credit card, and you have protection through your issuer, but do you realize that by using your drivers license these thieves can get a whole new credit card? One you don't even know about? If this happens to you, you will find that it is anything but easy to fix. Proving that your identity has been stolen can be extremely difficult to prove and getting your credit back up to snuff is next to impossible.

This terrible crime is so prevalent that it is something that we all should educate ourselves about so that we can prevent it if at all possible or at least know what to do once it has happened.

One of the simplest ways to safeguard against identity theft is to keep your personal information to yourself. Don't give out much information, ever especially on the phone or online. It may be okay for you to give some information if you made the call to a company that you trust but if you are on the receiving end of the call forget it, this person could be anyone from anywhere. You have probably been asked for your Social Security Number when applying for credit over the phone or on the Internet, but you do not have to give it out. Ask the person or company you are dealing with if there are other options for you to do instead.

You might want to keep a detailed list of your credit card companies in a place that you will be able to find them quickly in case your cards ever get stolen. The sooner you report the theft to them missing the better off you will be. If you wait and the thief maxes out your card you could face taking some responsibility.

Getting a copy of your credit report on a regular basis will help you to nip any credit card fraud in the bud. If you do not go over your report you may miss what is going on and this is just giving the thieves more time to get away with their crime while getting yourself in even more trouble.

Everyone, and I mean everyone should invest in a paper shredder. Destroying all of your financial documents before you throw them away is another very important step to preventing identity theft. Identity thieves are great for going through people's trash and picking out what they need. Don't forget to shred all of the pre-approved credit card offers that you get in the mail all of the time. If these get into the wrong hands they could mean the end of your good credit.

Martin Lukac, represents, #1 Loans USA, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more: http://www.1LoansUSA.com

---

Why Consumers Need a Nationwide Credit Freeze NOW

What do a shoe retailer, an online discount broker, and a popular clothing retailer all have in common? All three - DSW Shoe Warehouse, Ameritrade, and Polo Ralph Lauren - sustained breaches to... Read More

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Your Credit Report

Your credit report is a very powerful report that essential controls what you can and cannot do in your life. Unfortunately many people aren't aware of what a credit report actually is and... Read More

Finding Reputable Credit Card Companies

You're interested in getting the best credit cards for your family's needs, but you don't want to be cheated. Or you're interested in small business credit cards, but you've heard that some of... Read More

Credit Score: The Brightest Feather In Your Financial Cap

Credit scores are the most important aspect that determines your financial future. Carrying a good credit score is an asset and can pave your future towards greener pastures. On the other hand a... Read More

Beat Credit Card Companies at Their Own Game!

Have you ever wondered how much money a credit card company makes? Have you ever wondered how much of that comes from late fees? Everyone has and if you haven't you should because... Read More

Applying for Credit Cards Online

In the olden days, about 10 years ago, before the internet, consumers would have to fill in applications for credit cards, loans, mortgages and so on by hand. It's hard to believe now,... Read More

SuperCharged Secret 1 of 5 - Credit Card Utopia

I AM THE CONSUMER. AND I HAVE LOW-RATE SUPER-POWERS!Note: The following is part 1 of a 5 part series. Over the course of these next 5 articles, I am going to introduce you... Read More

Credit Cards And Loans - So Many Options - So Little Time

Credit Cards and Loans sounds like just two things, but in actuality, it is dozens of things. Due to a combination of user preferences, lifestyles, and marketing ideas, there are dozens of different... Read More

How To Choose A Credit Card

Your credit score may just be a little number, but it packs a big punch. A poor credit score can keep you from getting a mortgage or a car loan. In addition, your... Read More

Bad Checks, Bounced Checks, & NSF Checks

Negotiable instruments like checks and drafts have become an indispensable part of any business transaction today. As a result, it has become increasingly important to safeguard a business against financial losses arising from... Read More

Rebuild & Keep Good Credit Ratings by Understanding Your Credit Cards

Secured Credit Card is similar to a prepaid credit card since the funds you are using are actually yours and not the issuer of the credit card. Generally people who apply for secured... Read More

Compare Credit Card Offers and Reward Yourself

Here's a simple system on how to pay zero interest and get tons of free stuff. Almost everyone uses credit cards. But only a few thousand people out there take advantage of what... Read More

Our World Of Credit Cards! Which One Is Right For You

There are not many of us who do not have a credit card these days. But, not all of us are as wise in the area of understanding how they work and how... Read More

Credit Help For Renters And Others On The Horizon

Sue is a homeowner and pays her mortgage and other bills on time like a good credit consumer. Sue's on-time mortgage payments are reflected in her credit score profiled by the three major... Read More

Legislators Ponder New Credit Protection Laws

Legislators in Washington, D.C. are considering several credit-related consumer protections as outlined in The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (H.R. 2622). If approved, consumers could benefit from the most wide-ranging... Read More

How To Get a Low Interest Credit Card

Consumers often have the first credit card that they ever applied for, never really analizing how the interest rate affects their payments, but many other options exist and can help consumers decrease their... Read More

Saving Money with Credit Cards

Having a credit card is a wonderful convenience for those times when you don't have immediate access to your cash. It can allow you to purchase something on time for which you can... Read More

Free Credit Reports - How to Maintain Your Credit Profile

Maintaining your Credit ProfileEvery consumer should be maintaining their credit profiles to ensure the highest scores possible. To do so, you must first order your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus:... Read More

5 Ways To Raise Credit Score

It's not as hard as you think to raise credit score. It's a well known fact that lenders will give people with higher credit scores lower interest rates on mortgages, car loans and... Read More

Important Things to Know About Divorce and Credit

Joint debts remain joint debts.Both spouses signed a legally binding contract with the creditor, and a divorce decree neither amends this contract nor relieves the creditor's investment in you. Amendment of any contract... Read More

Building Your Credit History

Today, credit is an indispensable part of our lives. In order to get the things you need, such as a home or a car, you have to apply for a credit. But you... Read More

The Art of Stoozing to Make Money from Credit Cards

Make Money from StoozingStoozing, this is a sophisticated method of making money from credit cards that offer 0% introductory periods, the method requires cast iron discipline in never spending on the cards.But, I... Read More

SuperCharged Secret 2, Credit Card Utopia

INTEREST BEWARE, THERE'S SAFETY IN NUMBERS!Note: The following is part 2 of a 5 part series, Over the course of these 5 articles, I am going to introduce you to several methods for... Read More

Top 5 Credit Misconceptions

We have all heard the rumors?from neighbors, relatives or friends. There are a wide variety of myths floating around about what you should and shouldn't do to improve your credit reports and credit... Read More

What Are The Most Common Credit Card Mistakes?

Now in a world with so many easy to get credit cards it can be easy for someone who is a first time credit card holder, or even someone who has several credit... Read More

Identity Theft : They Got Him

His hard earned money? Gone. Creditors on his back everyday. Police knocking on his door. His family strained to the breaking point. He didn't do anything wrong but my business partner's life got... Read More

Finance - Money, Money

Finance is a big word for some of us. It's a little scary. Maybe you immediately go to thinking about "high finance." That's even scarier. But what is the field of finance really... Read More

Cash Back vs. Rewards Credit Cards

Ah, the sweet rewards of using credit!Not only do you get immediate gratification with the buy now-pay later plastic, but now, many credit cards offer rewards and incentives for using their card to... Read More

Bank Robbery Growing In U.S.

Bank robbery has grown to become a huge problem in the United States but I am not talking about people robbing banks. I am talking about banks robbing people. Here are some tips... Read More