Identity theft refers to something that is stolen and which has very private data. Often people are observed to be least worried about their belongings and this is the chance that is taken by criminals to steal what is most private to you. Things like your credit cards, mobile phones, computers, USB drives and many more have your private data. If this data goes into wrong hands, then it can prove dangerous to you. In spite of knowing all these factors, there are many people who still donâEUR(TM)t take good care of their private data stores. With inclusion of all these, there is one more aspect of identity theft; fraud in your credit report. This is more dangerous than any of your other things that are stolen. In short, stealing all such private assets and using them as the original person is using it, is called as identity theft. It is just like criminal has turned himself into you while using your assets.
Public places are more prone for such accidents to happen when you lose your private belongings and donâEUR(TM)t even notice it. Cases of stealing your finer prints have also been noted. So you have to be careful about some one stealing your finger print. After all, your thumb impression is unique identity that you possess. Stealing of credit cards and wallets are common accidents that happen in every public place. Now days, stealing of your mobile phones also happen. Your mobile phone may also contain some private data that you have. Same is the case with your computers. Difference is that compute thefts donâEUR(TM)t happen in public places. Let us see some causes of identity thefts.
Should identity theft happen to you, there are several steps you need to take. First make sure it is identity theft. If there is a charge on your credit card statement that you do not recognize, call the credit card company and get more information about it. You may have charged this item yourself and either don't recognize the name, or the vendor holds its credit card accounts in a different name than the one you know.
If there is a charge for a vendor or merchant you have charged other items with, this may be a duplicate charge made in error and not the result of identity theft. In this case, dispute the charge with the credit card company. If a vendor is listed in a city you have never visited, you can't assume it is identity theft. Often vendors list their corporate or central offices on credit cards. If you are unsure, call the credit card company and ask where the charge was originated.
Credit card companies can also tell you if the actual card was presented at the time of purchase or if just the number was supplied, such as for a phone or online order. If other charges appear with other vendors that you did not authorize, it is likely there has been identity theft. Once you are certain that you did not incur the charges, contact the police immediately and complete a report. Give a copy of the report to creditors.
Contact the creditor or loan company which was used by the thief. Notify them in writing that you did not incur the charges and that your information was used illegally. Immediately close the account and open a new one with a PIN or security code attached to it. Ask that PIN numbers be verified before changing the address on the accounts.
Contact all three credit reporting agencies and alert them that your identity has been stolen. Obtain current copies of your credit reports to check for other instances of identity theft. Ask that a "security alert" be placed on your file as well as a victim's statement asking that creditors call you before opening an account in your name. Request that inquiries made on behalf of the thief be removed from your file.