We all know that criminals are
out there, waiting for an opportunity to steal our credit card
information.These criminals want your
credit card information so they can run up fraudulent charges and ruin your
credit.This type of crime is classified
as Identity Theft.
Victims of identity theft can
spend years paying back debts or fighting to restore their credit.According to a survey conducted by the FTC (Federal
Trade Commission), 4.6% of Americans involved in the survey responded that they
have been a victim of identity theft within the past year.This is just a tiny fraction of what's really
happening.The costs to clear up the
theft can range from an average of $500 to $1200 per victim.It can take an average of 30 hours to resolve
the issue.
How can you reduce your risk of
becoming a victim of ID theft?One step
is finding out how thieves gain access to your personal information.
Lost or stolen wallet.
Missing/stolen mail from your mailbox
Spy ware on your computer
Unsecure online transactions
Garbage - shred all personal
documents/bills
"Phishing" -
Individuals masquerading as a legitimate business in an attempt to convince you
to pass on personal information to them.
As you can see, criminals have an
assortment of tools at their disposal that can enable them to gain access to
your credit card and other personal information.More than ever, it is crucial that you
protect your personal information.
Identity Theft
