Modern technology has made our lives easier, but it has also made it easier for thieves to commit identity theft, which the U.S. Postal Service has called the fastest-growing crime in America.
If someone stole your identity, would you know what to do to get your good name back? There are many things that might need to be taken care of, like:
Getting to know your rights as a victim.
Filling out paper work, such as police reports.
Sending a Fraud Alert to the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Postal Service.
Getting copies of your credit bureau reports and working with the three biggest credit bureaus to make sure your credit history is correct.
If you are hurt, you can also get help. As identity theft becomes more common, consumers are looking for ways to deal with the costs and hassles that come with it. In 2003, consumers spent up to 300 million hours trying to solve problems caused by identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Some insurance companies, like Allstate Insurance Company, offer coverage for restoring your identity. This type of coverage, which is often added for an extra fee to homeowner's, renter's, and/or condo insurance, can give customers access to help with restoring their identity and pay for covered costs they have to pay to do so.
Even though this coverage can help people whose identities have been stolen get their lives back on track, it is still up to each person to protect themselves. These six tips can make you less likely to be a victim of identity theft:
Don't carry credit cards you don't need.
Immediately close all credit card accounts that aren't being used, are lost, or have been stolen.
Keep your Social Security card, birth certificate, and other personal documents in a safe lock box or safety deposit box. Don't put them or copies of them in your wallet.
Check your credit history every so often and report any suspicious activity.
• Keep track of all receipts carefully. Put them somewhere safe or destroy them before you throw them away.
Do not give out your Social Security number or any other information unless you know the person or company and started the conversation.
