Benedict Perez asked:




It is really a hassle and a big problem if suddenly you realized that somebody is using credit card, leaving you in a big amount of debt. It is stressing to know that there is someone out there who knows your personal information and is using them for their personal gain. These are just examples of what has known to be the widespread crime all over the United States of America – identity theft. According to statistics, out of 23 Americans, 1 is victimized by identity theft, roughly 10 million annually. With the alarming rate of such cases, identity theft insurance was established to provide protection against such fraud.

You can never tell when you will be a victim. So, it is essential that you are taking precautionary actions and plans to keep you secured all the times. Whenever you are a victim of identity theft, it is not just about the money that you are going to pay. You can also be a victim of the court system. Creditors from banks will definitely prosecute you because the accounts are under your name. They will hold you responsible and will demand you to pay for it. And because court processes takes a very long time, only a few had come to court and fight for their identity. It leaves you powerless and end up paying with the charges you have not made.

With these issues, there are several companies offering identity theft insurance. Availing of its policies can give you a peace of mind that your identity is secured from fraud. It provides you financial stability as it protects your sensitive information. These insurances can cover your expenses for the recovery of your financial identity and the direct monetary losses.

There are several companies who offer such policies and protection. Choose well. Study first their policies before availing it. Know their coverage and limitations then select the appropriate plan for you.

There are companies that do not include the direct monetary loss and your expenses while processing your identity financial retrieval. These are the phone calls, salary loss due to work leave and expenses on the production and duplication of important documents and papers. Some coverage are only limited to $100 to $250, $1,000 being the highest.

Some offers legal fee coverage, though really not necessary. All you need is time to deal creditors which can be annoying and hassle sometimes. Keep in mind also that an identity theft crime done by relatives is not covered in insurances. That is one bad news for policy holders.

Having insurance is great, but still, the best way to protect yourself from identity fraud is simply being careful with your personal information. You are responsible for them. Do not give out your Social Security Number to anyone or even to customer service representatives over the phone. When making a payment, it is safer to do it online rather than dictating information to telemarketers who might just be writing down your credit card details on a piece of paper for their keep sake. When filling up documents, make sure to shred any scratch papers that have your personal details. Lastly, you can also check your credit report quarterly from the leading credit bureaus in the country.

Joe

Ryan J. Taylor asked:




Identity theft is rampant and destroying millions of people’s lives. You need identity protection, theft prevention and anything to reduce the chances of getting your personal information stolen.

I.D. theft has always been a problem, but it’s no longer about dumpster divers or people changing your mailing address. Now employees at your job can access your Social Security number and hackers can see everything on your personal hard drive. As the internet grows and becomes available across the world, someone from Nigeria can take a peak at your bank account.

It is essential that you protect your identity. The average American that faces identity theft spends 440 hours trying to restore their credit, finances and other issues that can occur.

There are a number of things you can do right now to protect yourself and prevent identity theft. Such as:

Shred your documents Install a firewall, antivirus, and spyware removal software on your computer Stop junk mail Only use your Social Security number when necessary

These basic steps will help, but there is more you need to do than just the basics in today’s wired world. You need to monitor your credit report, reduce the risks of security breaches and watch who is accessing your personal information on a daily basis.

You can mostly do this for free, but you can save yourself a lot of trouble by spending a just few dollars a month for a service that will completely protect you. These services are well worth the money just for their guarantees alone. If for any reason someone steal your identity, they will do whatever it takes to restore your personal information and claim any loses you may have incurred.

That means they’ll deal with filing police reports, they’ll deal with the lawyers, they’ll cancel your credit cards and get new accounts created for you. These services will save you frustration, time and money, and will allow you to peacefully shop online and go about your life without any worries.

Marion

Anthony Fontanelle asked:




With the cases of cars and motorcycles being stolen each year steadily growing, the need for anti-theft devices is also growing. To address this demand, Omniscout has recently introduced to the public their newest monitoring and tracking devices.

The division of WorldScout Corporation which is based in Phoenix, Arizona launched two models of tracking devices at the V-Twin Expo held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company has developed the most sophisticated and most effective devices of its kind. They call the devices the Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro. And they are calling them such for good reasons – both devices are as small and lightweight as a cell phone, hence the name. The size of these devices allows them to be easily concealed in a vehicle or even by a person.

The device is so accurate that the person or vehicle carrying it can be located precisely within a few meters. Both the devices are a combination of two technologies which make them the most advanced gadget of their kind. They employ the Global Positioning System or GPS to broadcast their current location. They also make use of GSM/GPRS wireless communication networks. The latter technology employed by the two devices allows them to receive commands with the use of the international wireless networks. So, both devices not only look like a cell phone in size but also employ the same technology. The use of the two technologies in the development of a hybrid device will no doubt be welcomed by motoring enthusiasts who wants that extra protection for their cars or motorcycles.

While the devices can be used on cars, the developers of the gadgets focus on the application of it on motorcycles. “Motorcycle enthusiasts make significant investments in their bikes, from specialized chrome accessories, unique paint jobs to upgraded parts, which can cost in the tens of thousand of dollars,” Robert Metz, President of WorldScout Corporation stated. “The Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro give users an added degree of comfort because the system will immediately alert and notify the owner if it is being stolen or even moved without authorization,” Metz further added about the devices. Other vehicles that can use the devices as a safeguard are motor homes, snowmobiles, watercrafts, all-terrain vehicles and sports boats.

The devices from Omniscout are the most sophisticated of their kind because of the fact that they are very much unlike other devices of their kind. The Omniscout Portable and the Portable Pro does not suffer from limitations that other devices using GPS technology demonstrates. This is thanks to WorldScout’s one of a kind Adaptive Assisted Global Positioning System. Similar devices can only be located by satellite signal if there is a clear view to the sky. But thanks to the AAGP employed by the Omniscout Portable and Portable Pro, GPS satellites can locate the device even without a clear view of the sky. In fact, the device can be detected with an accuracy of up to a few meters even if the device is inside a building.

Both the devices give information to the owner like the exact location of the vehicle, real time tracking, street level mapping, and cellular connectivity. Unlike other theft prevention devices which are passive, these devices allow remote controlling of the vehicles equipped with it. This capability makes these gadgets so effective in theft protection. The effectiveness of these devices is akin to the braking effectiveness of EBC rotors and calipers. With the advent of technology, its only a matter of time before we see a whole new wave of products such as these that will help protect investments made by motorists on their vehicles.

Beatrice

Chet Holcomb asked:




Having someone steal your identity seem to be the stuff that science fiction books and movies have on their convoluted plots. But that was before… before the rise of technological advancement, before the creation of the world wide web.

Now, identity theft is no longer a dream for some hackers and internet con artists. One can even say that with their techniques and expertise, it will be like taking candy from a baby… yet this time, it involves more than sweets. Life is at stake, personal and social life.

How can someone steal your identity? By assuming your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account.

Then, your imposter incur charges on your account in your name and have the bills sent to the new address. This is why most people may not immediately realize that their is a problem. They establish cellular phone service in your name.They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.

How Easy is it to Get Personal Information?

The amount of information available on the Internet about you and those you know is almost unbelievable. Various companies offer services that provide address, criminal, civil, and professional history as well as a list of assets and bank account numbers. Also available are the Social Security number, last six addresses, current phone number as well as names and phone numbers of neighbors. Some large, prestigious companies offering such information include Lexis-Nexis and West Publishing Company.

Many smaller companies also provide similar services.
This research used to take days. Today, this information is available in minutes with only a few click of your mouse. Here are economical products that can help uncover personal details you thought were strictly private.

Identity theft involves someone using key pieces of your identifying information in order to impersonate you. The usual purpose is to acquire goods or services in your name through the use of credit or debit cards. The U.S. Postal Service calls it the “one of the fastest growing robbery crimes in America.”

By one industry estimate, more than 1,000 people a day in the United States fall victim to crimes of stolen identity. In 1997 the U.S. Secret Service make 9,455 arrests involving identify fraud. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse there are over 400,000 thefts of identity each year with that result in more than $2 Billion worth of annual losses for the country. Identity theft is expanding at a rate of 50% per year.

Jay

Tyler Previd asked:




We all know that at any moment a criminal can steal our identities and pretty much put us through hell for the next year or more of our lives. That’s why I myself have been protected by an identity theft protection company. I have put together my top 2 identity theft prevention tips in this article so that you can take a few steps to being closer to safety.

My first tip for you is to make sure that you either check your mail everyday and tear up any offers for ‘pre-approved’ credit cards because that is one of the top ways that thieves steal your identity, by hijacking your mail. It would be even better if you could remove yourself from all the mailing lists of these companies altogether. (The company that I use does it for me!)

My second identity prevention tip is to order yourself a copy of your credit report at least once a year. You can see if there are any accounts that were opened in your name that you might not be aware of and you can spot other suspicious activity as well. Also, it’s good to check your credit often ANYWAY because sometimes companies make mistakes and it’s good to spot these thing early.

There are so many ways nowadays for criminals to steal your personal information whether it be by purchasing or trading it online, buying it from the black market or “phishing” the information for themselves by using hacking techniques. Whichever method they use, you do not want to fall victim to this horrible crime. It can be devastating and severely damage you financially as well as get you in trouble with the law for something YOU didn’t do!

Trust me, it’s not pretty. I hope these 2 identity prevention tips were helpful to you and I wish you all the luck in keeping your good name!

Dawn

natejh1987 asked:

a video me and my friends made for FBLA competition.

Stella

Bernard Pragides asked:




Identity theft can take many forms. Many people do not realize that there are actually five different types of identity theft. You can take steps to protect yourself from this nightmare, but first you need to know what you are up against. Here is an overview of the five types of identity theft.

1. Financial identity theft is the kind most of us are readily familiar with. This is when a thief steals your information and sets up financial accounts in your name without your permission or knowledge. Basically, they pretend to be you and set up an entire financial portfolio in your name. This includes bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and even mortgages. In order to protect yourself from this type of identity theft, make sure you properly dispose of all personal and financial documents.

2. Social security identity theft is a huge problem and is growing in popularity among identity thieves. In order to effectively pull off financial identity theft, a thief will need your social security number since all banks require it to open an account of any kind. Many thieves get this by dumpster diving, stealing mail, or email scams called phishing. Do not give out your social security number to anyone, no matter who they claim to be, over the phone or the Internet. Illegal aliens will also sometimes steal social security numbers since they are asked to provide one by their employers. Then, the IRS comes to you for any taxes owed on income you did not get.

3. Medical identity theft occurs when a person who does not have insurance uses yours to obtain treatment. This is not good because the data from the other person is now in your file. Imagine if you needed a heart transplant or other major medical treatment at some point and your insurance refused to pay for it because they show you have already had that procedure done and will not pay again. This can also affect your ability to get health and life insurance.

4. Driver’s license theft is now easier than ever thanks to a book put out by the DMV detailing all of the states’ drivers license specs. You can download information on any driver’s license and make one that looks just like the real thing. Obviously, this can be a real issue when you receive a ticket in your name that someone else deserves!

5. Criminal or character identity theft often ties in with driver’s license identity theft. Nefarious characters who commit crimes will have a driver’s license made with your info and their photo. They can then conduct their criminal activity under your name and then slip away when the authorities get too close. Guess whose door the cops are knocking on for the culprit?

Identity theft is a major problem today. You need to be vigilant and guard your information closely. Don’t give out personal information unless it is absolutely necessary, and destroy all correspondence before you throw it in the trash. Identity thieves are looking for an easy target, don’t be one.

So stay alert! Beware!

Beatrice

PJ Germain asked:




Identity thieves are becoming more sophisticated with every passing day. Don’t wait until it’s to late. Identity theft can happen anywhere to anyone. In line at the store, online at home or when you’re buying your morning coffee. Identity theft is one of the most common problems that people face today. Any of your personal information can be used to commit the crime.

Identity theft-protection company Lifelock is in the news this morning. The company, headed by CEO Todd Davis, is known for its challenge ad (reproduced below) which has been running for a couple of years. Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. Identity fraud has become a huge concern in today’s new age and even though precautions have been taken to correct the situation there has not been much success. In the US approximately 120 million citizens had their private records exposed in the last three years causing approximately 27 million Americans to become victims.

Identity theft in the most extreme cases allows people to get insurance in your name, open false bank accounts and even can provide a cover when arrested for other crimes. Ident-A-Kid’s Immediate Response Card systems utilize an extremely fast digital data acquisition system. A complete profile of each child, including fingerprint, photograph, height and weight, is acquired in less than 15 seconds. Identity theft is the most rapidly growing crime in the world. It’s now bringing in more money than drug trafficking.

Credit

Credit card fraud is the most common form of ‘identity theft.’ It threatens no liability and only a little bit of inconvenience to most consumers in the United States – consumers that are prudent, anyway. And I’ve never understood what these services would or could do to prevent or mitigate a true impersonation fraud. Credit card companies still sent actual credit cards in their pre-approval mailings and one was stolen out of my mailbox. A year later, I received a collection notice that over $2000 was charged at a retailer blocks away from my home. Credit card fraud is often confused for identity theft because of those clever commercials with the funny voice-overs but it’s really a walk in the park compared to identity theft. It won’t take just a few phone calls to clear it up either.

Credit monitoring is an afterthought. What credit monitoring is, is selling you your own data.

Fraud and Your Credit

Fraud consistently costs the consumers in the long run. No one is magically absorbing those costs without passing them along to the consumers. Fraud alert ensures that creditors call you and verify your identity before opening any new credit lines. You can put a fraud alert on your credit report yourself if you call any one of the 3 credit reporting companies.

Checkout LifeLock

Check out LifeLock and protect yourself and your family from identity theft. Check out the possible LifeLock coupon codes or LifeLock coupons that will save you money on your purchases. Now if you don’t see a promo code or discount available that may mean that Lifelock is currently not offering any savings, but they might have new deals onsite- so you can try clicking on one of the links below and find out.

Travis

David Faulkner asked:




Most car owners seek to protect their automobile purchases because of the large investment involved in buying a car, and the high risk of using your vehicle in all of the different areas where you might drive. Many factors should be considered in selecting a car alarm system, including the primary location of the vehicle and the crime statistics for that area. Galaxy Car Alarms offer to protect this valuable possession of yours no matter where the car might be located.

Galaxy Car Alarms offer many different levels of protection from intrusion. You can select from these different protection options, including unique ideas, sounds and notifications. The Galaxy Car Alarm offers a feeling of safety and security that transcends other car alarms systems. With a Galaxy Car Alarm, your vehicle will be better protected than it has been previously. For that reason alone, it’s worth it to fully investigate the Galaxy Car Alarm options.

Operating a Galaxy Car Alarms is very simple. Your vehicle is wired to the Galaxy Car Alarm device and armed against attack. If anything touches your car other than the key, the Galaxy Car Alarm will activate, loudly, to alert everyone in the vicinity of the car that there is a problem. Loud noises blanket the area where the car is located, and some of the Galaxy Car Alarms are also equipped with notification features to inform the owner and even the authorities remotely of potential theft.

The Galaxy Car Alarm does often work as an effective theft deterrent, because a thief will often choose to run instead of wait to be caught once the alarm has engaged. The loudness and quick engagement of the Galaxy Car Alarm put the thief off balance. They’re not sure how much time they will have to complete the theft before someone arrives, and the alarm itself is just so loud, that the potential thief often chooses to just leave instead of proceeding with the apprehension. In fact, the blinking light that indicates the presence of an activated Galaxy Car Alarm has been known to stop a thief from even trying to break into the car. This is how prevalent the Galaxy Car Alarm reputation is – a thief will know by sight that chances of success are smaller with this alarm system and choose to move on to a different target instead. This preventative effect alone is worth the investment in a Galaxy Car Alarm.

Tracy

Caleb Markinson asked:




Identity theft insurance coverage is big business for companies looking to profit from consumer fears. Insurance coverage provides consumers with many different ways to pay for losses. Generally, all consumer identity theft coverage policies fall into one of two categories: prevention services and insurance coverage. The problem is best avoided but since no one is one hundred percent invulnerable to identity fraud, insurance provides a nice soft place to land if you do fall victim.

Prevention Services

Credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and consumer counseling are all prevention services that provided when seeking coverage. Most lenders, all three credit reporting bureaus, and many independent companies offer some form of prevention services, but they usually provide this service for a fee. Occasionally, a lender will provide credit monitoring for free as a bonus for using their financial institution.

Typically, prevention services work about the same manner no matter the company. The service allows the company to track inquires and accounts on your credit report and notifies you immediately if something suspicious shows up on your record. Often, if identity theft does occur, the companies that offer insurance coverage will also offer assistance in the form of advice or resources. The fees for these services are customarily charged on a monthly basis and range from less than $10 to around $40 a month.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance companies wasted no time in jumping on the bandwagon by devising policies to provide coverage to identity theft victims. Some policies providing stand-alone coverage for people who don’t own homes or don’t want to include the protection with their homeowner’s policy while other policies roll the client’s homeowner policy and identity theft insurance into one. The important thing to know if you are a consumer interested in coverage is whether or not you already are covered. Read your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure that identity theft is not already covered before purchasing additional insurance that you don’t need.

If you find that you are in need of insurance, you can rest easy knowing that premiums for coverage are very inexpensive, only about $25 to $50 a year for coverage of about $15,000 or $20,000. The policy will cover any out-of-pocket costs associated with identity theft above the deductible value.

Keep in mind that although the average victim only pays about $500 in fees and lost wages, this figure can sometimes be much larger in special circumstances. Consider your needs carefully and talk over the extent of coverage you should invest in with your insurance agent.

Rick