Commonly,Asked,Questions,About business, insurance Commonly Asked Questions About Identity Theft
Small offices have unique needs, and thatincludes document shredding. Designed with the smaller business inmind, the Dahle 20314 is a cross-cut shredder that offers Level 3security and brings you into compliance with federal regulations. The As we all know to live in this world we have to perform some activity by which we can earn money. There are many activities by which we can earn money and meet the standards to live in this society. And from one of them is franchise. Franc
Identity theft is one of today's most commoncrimes and millions of people are affected by it every year. But howmuch do you really know about it? Do you know how to tell if you'vebecome a victim? Do you know how to protect yourself? If not, continuereading because this article will fill you in on all you need to knowabout this crime so you can protect yourself, both with common senseand the use of tools such as a paper shredder. What is identity theft? Identity theft occurs whensomeone else tries to use your name, address, Social Security Number,credit card and/or bank information to commit fraud. People who stealanother person's identity try to get things that don't belong to themincluding money, credit cards, prescription drugs, government benefits,and so on. They may also write bad checks or try to get utilities inyour name. Some criminals even use another person's information tosubmit fraudulent tax returns, rent an apartment, buy a car, or pin theblame on someone else when they're arrested.How many people are victims of this crime? TheFederal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that about 9 million people inthe United States have their identities stolen every year. That meansthere's a very good chance that it can happen to you.How does this happen? Identitytheft can occur when anyone gets a hold of your private information andthere are countless ways they can do so. For example, a technicallysavvy thief could grab your information online via a botched banktransaction or through a social networking site such as Facebook orMySpace. Some people engage in "dumpster diving" to root through tosseddocuments such as credit card offers, bank statements, and canceledchecks. People can also steal mail and go through wallets and purses insearch of information.How will I know if it happens?One of the best ways to know if you've been victimized is by regularlychecking your credit report for any changes. You'll also know if it'soccurred if your credit/debit card is declined, if you see anunauthorized charge on your credit card statement, or if a debtcollector tries to collect a debt that's not really yours.What should I do if I become a victim?Report the crime to both the FTC and the police immediately. And besure to notify your bank, credit card issuer, and your other creditorsso they can change their records and be on the lookout for any fraudthat may occur in the future.What's the best way to prevent it? Don'tgive out your Social Security Number unless it's absolutely necessary.Keep track of your checks, credit/debit cards, deposit slips, and otherthings you may carry in your wallet. (Also, don't place informationsuch as your driver's license number on your checks.) Review yourcredit report and bank statements regularly. Be aware of online scams,including phishing. And, of course, shredding your documents -including unsolicited credit card offers - before disposing of orrecycling them is a must. Keeping a paper shredder in your home oroffice is perhaps the best weapon against identity theft and there area lot of models to choose from. These machines are made by some of thebest office supply manufacturers in the business, including Fellowes,GBC, and Martin Yale. You should choose a cross-cut shredder because itwill reduce your papers to hundreds of minuscule pieces that can't bereassembled. This is the best way to ensure a dumpster diver, mailthief, or other shady character can't make off with your information. Above all, you should use common sense. If you get a funny feelingabout giving your information to someone, listen to your gut. Identitytheft is a common crime that can be emotionally and financiallydevastating, so be smart. Stay alert, keep on track of your creditreports, and shred those documents before you toss them. If you dothat, your identity should remain with its rightful owner: you. Article Tags: Identity Theft, Credit Card
Commonly,Asked,Questions,About