What Is Rampant, Spreading Like Wildfire And Can Kill Life As You Know It? No, Not A Deadly Virus (but Close). Answer: Identity Theft. My Stepson, Aaron, Was A Victim Of Identity Theft Recently. Someone Stole His Bank Cards, Deposited Fake Checks Into His Account, Then Withdrew Cash. The Deposited Fraudulent Checks And Overdraft Charges Hurt His Credit, And Hes Slowly Recovering And Rebuilding His Score.Tips To Avoid Identity Theft:1.Buy A Shredder. Aggressively Protect Your Social Security, Credit Card Or Bank Numbers.2.Use A Lock-in Mailbox. This Isnt 100 Safe, But Its Much Safer Than One Without A Lock.3. Protect Your Out-going Mail. Get It Into The Box Or The Hands Of A Postal Clerk. Heavily Trafficked Offices Often Have Out-going Mail In The Entryway. While This May Save Time, Its Not Safe. 4.Keep Receipts And Compare To Your Statements When They Come Once A Month. Banks Make Mistakes All The Time.5.Keep Financial Documents Under Lock And Key (at The Bank Or In A Home Safe).6.Dont Give Out Your Social Security Cardever. 7.Know Whats In Your Wallet. Do You Know How Many Credit Cards Are In Your Wallet?8.Dont Discuss Detailed Financial Information On A Cordless Or Cell Phone. That Information Can Be Intercepted.9.Monitor Your Credit Reports. You Can Sign Up For A Monitoring Service Or Do It Yourself Periodically. Your Credit Is One Of Your Assets, So Protect It.If Someone Steals Your Credit Card Information, Get Help From These Reputable ResourcesFederal Trade Commission Www.consumer.govidtheft Or 877-382-4357Identity Theft Resource Center At Www.idtheftcenter.org 858-693-7935Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Www.privacyrights.org Or 619-298-3396
