| If you have unfortunately been a victim of identity | | | | be a $40 gas bill for the trip you took to Indiana last |
| theft, you need to come up with a plan for identity | | | | month! |
| theft solutions so that this or something like this | | | | - Review Report - |
| doesn't happen ever again to you or someone close | | | | 4. Review your credit report at least once a year, |
| to you. | | | | and more if possible. Check if any new accounts |
| A Handy Checklist: | | | | have been opened that you have not authorized. |
| -BE Prepared- | | | | Check if the dollar amounts on the credit balances |
| 1. Make a list of all the companies you need to call | | | | you have are correct. A measly zero can make or |
| and do it quickly. Your list will include credit card | | | | break your credit when you go to buy a new car or |
| companies, bank accounts, other loans, mortgage | | | | find a home. |
| payments and the like. After your call to freeze | | | | - Drivers Lisence & Check- |
| cards and issue stop payments on checks you did | | | | 5. An important identity theft solution is to avoid |
| not write, send the companies a letter in writing and | | | | having your driver's license number or social security |
| keep copies. | | | | number printed on your checks. If you do pay by |
| Follow up with another call to see if any solution to | | | | check, the cashier can check your ID and write the |
| your identity theft has been figured out. Keep a | | | | number in front of you. 6. Know and review with |
| track of whom you have called and if there is | | | | other family members whom to call if you find your |
| anything you need to get back to them with. | | | | wallet has been stolen. |
| -Credit Card- | | | | - Computer - |
| 2. File a police report and contact the credit reporting | | | | 7. Update your computer virus protection, anti-spam |
| agencies. If you are traveling, ask your credit card | | | | software and install firewalls so some college nerds |
| company to overnight you a new card. | | | | do not try to hack in to your system just for the |
| -Check First- | | | | fun of it. |
| 3. Always check your credit card statement before | | | | - Online Shopping - |
| you pay it and never assume it is correct. A charge | | | | 8. A relatively newer identity theft solution is gaining |
| at a gas station for $40 is okay, but a charge at a | | | | popularity. When shopping online, use a unique virtual |
| gas station in India is not especially if you've never | | | | credit card number provided by your card company |
| laid foot in Asia! Call your credit card company; you | | | | for the exact amount of your purchase. That is a |
| pay them hefty fees for someone to answer your | | | | secure way of seeing to it that no one can use your |
| call 24/7. There might not be a need for an identity | | | | card over and above the amount you enter for that |
| theft solution if it was a simple mistake. A part of | | | | transaction. |
| the statement could get cut off and it could actually | | | | |