Free Resources

    There are many IDT Protection Plans on the market that will charge you a fee, or include the service of stopping:

• Pre-approved Credit Cards
• Direct Mail
• Junk Mail

My thought is why should you pay for a service that merely takes a few minutes of your time??

Here are the Free Resources that to stop all the above that will assist in decreasing your exposure to Identity Theft.

Credit Repositories

Equifax

888-766-0008

Consumer Fraud Division

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, Ga. 30374

www.equifax.com

TransUnion

800-680-7289

P.O. Box 1000

Chester, Pa. 19022

www.transunion.com

Experian

888-397-3742

P.O. Box 2002

Allen, Texas 75013

www.experian.com

You will need to know the difference between a Credit Freeze and a Fraud Alert.

Fraud Alert - An initial fraud alert stays in your file for at least 90 days and must be renewed. An extended alert stays in your file for seven years.  A fraud alert can be, and sometimes is ignored by creditors. A creditor isn't required by law to contact you, however, even if you have fraud alert in place. There is also a Military fraud alert.  A credit freeze is even a stronger option than a fraud alert.

Credit Freeze - The credit freeze locks the data at the consumer reporting agency until an individual gives permission for the release of the data.

Stop Pre-Approved Credit Cards

Go To: OptOutPreScreen.com

..... and proceed to the second page.  On the bottom you will have the ability to opt-out of those pesky pre-approved credit card offers that clog your mailboxes and provide ammunition for the Identity Thieves to steal your information.  Here's how they do this:

Identity thieves intercept your pre-approved credit card offer.  Then they generally will change the address on the application and send it back to the offering creditor for approval.  Surprisingly, approximately 7% get through without obtaining a credit check.  The card is now issued under YOUR name although it has gone to another address.  Now, you have no idea this credit card has been issued in your name with your information.

Identity thieves have learned the system well.  They will then use this new credit card, make the payments according to the terms and may even improve your credit rating.  Now that they have your information, good credit, they generally will apply and receive additional credit cards, loans, etc. in your name.  They will in probability, also have your Social Security number and Drivers License number.  With this information, they can now have lotsa fun.... at your expense!!!

Since most identity theft victims don't find out for 14 - 36 months, the damage is done.  Now what generally happens is the identity thieves armed with all this information and credit hit.  That is to say they charge up large sums, buy all types of merchandise and disappear leaving you with the bill.  Scary Stuff!!!!

Stop Direct Marketing (junk mail)

Go To: DMAchoice.org

Once on this site, click on the "Get Started" in the upper right hand of your screen.  It will take you a few minutes to walk through the process of opting out, although it is well worth your time!! 

How-to Guide on implementing the Red Flag's Rule