Identity Theft

[4RE KLR]

Be careful with the Life lock program. The guy that owns the company has had his ID stolen twice.

Someone stole his ID and went to a finance company and borrowed $500.00 in his name. They have paid out on their guarantee several times.

You can do the same thing for free. Just contact all three credit bureau and put a watch on your SSN, they will and when someone pulls your report there will be a note there for the lender to make contact with you and your phone number before issuing credit. If they do not you can dispute the credit and the lender is liable.

You will have to renew this every six months but it is free.

[Joe Wicked]

I did not know about the 1 use cards. I make an effort to not buy online when I can. If I have to, I try to use paypal. I do not keep a direct link to the paypal open as they offer, but make a connection to transfer money to the account and then delete it once completed. I do have my mail coming to my house, I have been thinking about getting one of the mailboxes that drops the mail into a secure compartment below. The post office in my little town does not have the post office boxes in an area that is accessible when they are closed. I leave in the morning before they are open and get home after they close. Everything else on your list I do. My SS card and all my credit cards (including store cards) are kept in my Fire Safe. I only carry a credit card when I need it.

[427 S/O]

Steve, I like the credit bureau watch and contact system, we should have a single contact point to make those arrangements?.

Thanks guys.......

[Ron61]

Steve,

Just contact all three credit bureau and put a watch on your SSN!!

Do you have the way to contact these handy? That is about the only thing I haven't done. I do have an automatic alert on my credit card for anything over a set amount and if anyone tries to make 2 charges the same day to it. Also one day I mistyped my Password to access my account and I had an e-mail about it when I went back to the home page that someone had tried to access the account and to call them if it wasn't me.

Ron

[4RE KLR]

The best way is to just look them up online and send them a letter so you have something in writing. I don't know the address right now and we are about to leave again but I will look it up and post in a bit. If I remember correctly they have a link so you can put a quick watch on and back it up with one in writing. Keep a copy for your records.

Experian
Trans Union
Equifax

I'll be back, we are grilling right now... Ummmmm

[Ron61]

Steve,

Thanks for the names. Hope the grilling turned out well. They are pretty much watching anyone who is out in their yard with a grill around here at the time with the fires and all.

Ron

[wtm442]

Equifax 800-525-6285
Experian 888-397-3742
Trans Union 800-680-7289

The alert on your file is called a "fraud alert". Then the credit bureau has to get in touch with you to confirm any new credit request under your name. Of course, this slows the processing time when "you" try to get credit from a new source. Not a big deal.

Once you place the fraud alert with any one of the companies, they will notify the other credit bureaus.

You can also get a free credit report once a year from each of the three credit bureaus. Or you can also get the report once a year by calling 877-322-8228 or online at
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Another good web site is
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

[4RE KLR]

Thanks Warren, I was running when I made the last post.

I think everyone should do this.

[wtm442]

Originally Posted by 4RE KLR

Thanks Warren, I was running when I made the last post. I think everyone should do this.

You were running while you were typing the post? Boy, are you talented. I have enough trouble typing while I'm sitting in the chair.

[Ron61]

Warren,

Steve carries a laptop. Running with your desktop and typing would indeed be difficult.

Ron

[4RE KLR]

Yes, litterally, with the laptop... No kidding.

[4RE KLR]

Look at the time of the post Ron and I made at the same time.

Ron,
You know me too well.