Why do I need to protect my identity?
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Millions of Americans are affected each year. It can ruin your credit, your life and cost you tens of thousands of dollars. What can be done to prevent and repair the damage? By following the steps of our program you can protect your identity and repair the damage for the rest of your life.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone gains unauthorized access to your personally identifying information – such as your name, Social Security Number (SSN), or bank account information – and uses it to obtain credit, commit fraud or other crimes.
How does identity theft happen?
In today’s environment most identity theft occurs when a database with your information is hacked. A few examples, in 2015 Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was hacked by identity thieves and the identities of over 80,000,000 people was compromised. Later that year the Federal Government Employees database was hacked and over 21,000,000 people were affected. T-Mobile announced their database had been breached which affected another 15,000,000 people. These people were notified well after the breach had occurred. This does not even account for the numerous data breaches that don’t make the news.
Unsolicited phone calls where the caller claims to be from your financial institution asking for you to verify your information over the phone and we’ve all received those e-mails from phony financial institutions asking that you provide certain information for their records or from friends asking for help out of a financial pickle. That’s phishing in action. More specifically, cyber criminals try to deceive unsuspecting consumers into opening and/or responding to e-mails designed to capture your personal information for fraudulent purposes
Less sophisticated criminals make take a smash-and-grab approach to identity theft, stealing purses, pick pocketing people in crowded places, breaking into your house or apartment or even stealing personnel records from companies.
There are literally hundreds of other scams to get your information.
Never Respond to Unsolicited Requests for Information
Whether it’s someone showing up at your door, calling you on the phone, or sending you an e-mail asking for personal information, you shouldn’t respond if you didn’t ask to be contacted. It can be difficult to verify that the person is who they say they are, and reputable companies don’t ask you to provide sensitive information.“If someone contacts you claiming to be from your credit card company, do not give out your information and only use secured websites
Stolen Identity IRS Tax Refund Fraud
IRS tax fraud is when someone has your information and files for an income tax return before you do. This stolen identity tax fraud has exploded in the last 7 years. It is now a major problem and has been estimated to cost the US taxpayer 5.2 billion dollars in 2014.
Note: If you have been a victim of IRS identity tax fraud then you know your identity has been compromised. It is not only enough to protect yourself from income tax fraud alone, it is also vitally important to protect your identity from other types of fraud. Our program provides comprehensive proactive identity theft protection.
Why do I need identity theft protection?
Because identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Last year it costs consumers over 16 billion dollars. Most victims of identity theft are not notified until well after their identity has been compromised. Once your identity has been compromised accounts are opened using your information. Your credit is destroyed and damages your ability to get credit or to get credit at the most favorable rates. You can also be held financially responsible for those accounts and the associated debt.
What are my options?
Proactive Identity Theft Protection
Proactive identity theft protection stops anyone from opening accounts. It stops it during the application process. An added layer of security will be placed on your credit files. When anyone applies for credit using your information the application process will be stopped, before accounts are opened The merchant or lender will be required to vigorously verify the identity of the applicant. Your telephone number will appear on the alert so the merchant or lender can call you, in real time, to verify that it is you that is applying for credit and that you authorized them to process the application. If it is not you we advise you to notify the merchant or lender that it is identity theft and direct them to call law enforcement.
Reactive Protection (monitoring)
Reactive protection is also known as monitoring. After accounts have been opened you are notified about the the new accounts. If fraudulent accounts have been opened you will have to go through a process to dispute those accounts and prove that it was not you who opened those accounts. You are notified after the fact. In addition these monitoring services have a monthly fee, that you have to pay month after month, costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Simple monitoring is not good enough.
Also known as a Security freeze is designed to prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a security freeze to take control over who is allowed access to the personal and financial information in your file may delay, interfere with or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, insurance, government services or payments, rental housing, employment, investment, license, cellular telephone, utilities, digital signature, Internet credit card transaction or other services, including an extension of credit at point of sale
You can choose to do nothing. The results of that decision could be that your credit is destroyed and you will no longer be qualified to borrow money or obtain credit. If you are extended credit the lender may require an exorbitant deposit or down payment and will charge a high interest rate, costing you a tremendous amount of money over the term of the loan. If you choose to do nothing you could potentially be held financially liable for the debt resulting from any fraudulent accounts. You may have to hire an attorney to protect you from that liability and attorneys are not cheap. So it only makes sense to take action now to protect yourself, clean up any damage and relieve yourself from any potential financial liability.
How long do I need to be protected?
Once your information has been compromised you will need to have protection for the rest of your life. Once the initial identity thieves have done as much as they can with your information it is typically sold on the black market. The potential liability is for the rest of your life.
Most companies that offer identity theft protection charge a monthly or annual fee averaging $30.00 / month or $360.00 / year, every year for the rest of your life which can amount to thousands of dollars over time. If you decide to stop paying you will no longer have protection. So, for less than the cost of what other companies charge for one year of protection you can have a lifetime of protection with our program..
By following the steps of our program you can have a lifetime of Proactive Identity Theft Protection for a small one-time fee, never another penny. Potentially saving you thousands of dollars over time, while still giving you the protection you need.
Damage and liability
Most identity theft victims have fraudulent accounts on their credit reports as the direct result of the identity theft. The proper legal documents must be submitted to remove those accounts from your credit files in order to clean up the damage and the proper legal documents must be submitted to relieve you from the financial liability of those accounts.
What steps do I need to take?
Our program includes everything you need to:
Immediately protect yourself from further damage
You can use the automated system to activate your Proactive Identity Theft Protection immediately. You program will be shipped USPS Priority mail and all of the documents, which are required to be submitted in writing along with specific supporting documents to secure your long term, extended alerts will be included.
The Program includes the steps to do a complete and thorough review of your credit reports
By doing a complete and thorough review of your credit reports you will be able to identify the items that need to be corrected, updated or disputed and removed and take corrective action.
Our program is Proactive and Retroactive
By following the steps of the program you will have a lifetime of Proactive Identity Theft Protection, never a monthly or annual fee. In addition you will also be able to formally dispute and remove any damage that may have been done.
Legally remove fraudulent accounts from your credit files
Included in your program is a full set of legally compliant dispute letters that meet all of the statutory requirements to remove the fraudulent accounts from your credit reports. It’s so simple, all of the documents are already prepared for your signature.
Legally relieve yourself from any potential liability from those accounts
Included in your program are the legal documents to relieve you from the potential financial liability from the fraudulent accounts.
Free monitoring and scores online on a secured website.
Your program allows you to monitor your credit reports and scores online.
Free credit reports
By following the steps of the program you can get multiple copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus Equifax, Experian and TransUnion throughout the year for free
What’s in your wallet
If your wallet is lost or stolen simply knowing what’s in your wallet is important to mitigate the potential for any corresponding fraud. You should make a photocopy of every relevant item in your wallet: credit cards, driver’s license, insurance card, etc. and keep it in a safe place. That way, you can be in position to make a faster recovery. Our program provides a register to list all of the important information that is in your wallet.
All of the proper legal documents are included to notify and protect yourself
All three Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Internal Revenue Service
Social Security Administration
Note: You should also give the financial institutions that issued your credit cards, debit cards, bank accounts, etc. a heads up that you may be dealing with some identity theft. This will give them the opportunity to apply added safeguards to your accounts as well as examine them for signs of impropriety.
*** Unlike other identity theft companies our program not only proactively protects your identity for a lifetime but also provides the ability to clean up the damage and relieve you from the financial liability. No monthly or annual fees. Never another penny.
Identity Theft Protection Benefits
You can have peace of mind that your identity is secure. Although your information may have been compromised, no one will be able to open up any new accounts using your information.
Immediate proactive identity theft protection
You will receive an alert call before accounts are opened. No one will be able to open new credit without your authorization.
Extended long term identity theft protection
All of the documents, which are required to be submitted in writing, are included in your program.
Complete & thorough review of your reports
You will do a complete and thorough review of your credit reports to identify any potential damage.
Most victims of identity theft have damage on their reports as the result of that theft. Once the damage has been identified, the program provides all of the legal documents to remove the fraudulent accounts and restore your good credit.
Relieve yourself from the financial liability
All of the documents that must be filed to relieve you from the potential liability from fraudulent accounts are included in your program..
Lock down your current accounts
When identity thieves have your information they may gain access to your existing accounts. Our program shows you how to have a added layer of security to your existing accounts
Credit reports monitoring & scores
Get your credit reports for free numerous times a year. Monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activity
What’s In your wallet
Having a record of everything that’s in your wallet helps you recover more quickly in the event it is lost or stolen
Your program also includes
- Identity Theft Prevention
- IRS Income Tax Fraud Protection
- Social Security Fraud Protection
- Reduce Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers
- Address Change Verification