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A young couple is
ready to buy a house. Their hopes and dreams are about to be fulfilled
with their real estate agent. Contracts are drawn and accepted. The
time comes to apply for a mortgage. Everyone is confident as the couple
have spent years building a strong credit report, paying every bill on
time and taking care to keep its debt-to-income ratio in check.
The bank reaches a
verdict. Much to the couple’s surprise, an unknown individual has run
up insurmountable debt in the wife’s name. They do not qualify for the
loan. It’s a bind side. The deal falls through and all their hard work
are for naught!
Identify theft can be
a heartbreaker.
Tips to help make it difficult to copy
you________________
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Checking credit reports at least semi-annually. Sites like
www.annualcreditreport.com
or other bureaus can be helpful to check your credit report.
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Checking the credit reports of spouses, parents and children
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Locking your mailbox
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Shredding all throwaway documents
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Securing all legal documents and account numbers, tax documents and
cancelled checks.
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Destroying pre-approved credit card offers
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Placing mail in secure outgoing mailboxes or at the post office.
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Calling the post office if you go more than 4 days without mail
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Paying attention to delivery dates of all bills
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Paying close attention to bank and credit card statements
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Reconciling bills and statements diligently and timely
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Paying attention to the expiration date of credit cards and looking
for arrival of new cards
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Signing all new cards immediately
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Avoiding the use of your social security number for accounts
whenever possible
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Having bank-ordered checks delivered to the bank and not your home.
"PROTECT
YOURSELF" |