Who & Why? Thieves are creating new tactics every day to steal your personal information and to fraudulently use it for personal gain. Once stolen, it could be used to open a checking account, credit card, loan, or utility account; as identification during a crime, to gain employment, sell to someone else, and more.

How is information stolen? Think of water-related words:
* Channeling your mail to another address,
* Diving into trash to find personal information,
* Phishing using a bait-and-switch lure by mimicking real financial institutions on the internet,
* Shoulder Surfing watching (or listening) to catch the wave of entered or spoken card numbers
* Skimming credit or debit card information captured near point-of-sale locations, and a
* Tackle Box of other means to net a purse, wallet, checks, tax or other information, sometimes baiting
employees in all types of businesses and services with bribes to supply it.

Criminals call home phones to hook people (called Vishing) by using scare tactics as traps to get you to reveal your social security or credit card numbers and codes. Or, callers may offer a prize with the “requirement” of obtaining credit card information.

Your Secret Weapon
Although there are many ways ID-stealing sharks try to get your personal information, YOU are the secret weapon by keeping your information private at all times – in your home, at work, while traveling, on the internet, on the phone. Guard all identification cards, credit cards, statements, receipts, tax information, codes. (Interestingly, 16% of all identity theft victims discover they know the thief !) Who comes into your home, has access to your desk at work, is taking a picture of your credit card with a cell phone at a business? Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your information protected and monitor your financial life closely.

Monitoring is a Must
Monitoring the activity in your accounts is the best way to catch any misuse of your personal information. Review accounts on-line, promptly go through the mail, use a credit report monitoring service for added protection. Be aware of anything out of the ordinary. Are statements correct? Any missing statements or other mail? Has a known or unfamiliar company contacted your about recent activity in “your” account? Monitoring greatly increases your chances to spot and correct errors and deal with any issues affecting your accounts.

So, You Discover You’re a Victim…
* Affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission: ID Theft Hotline: 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338)
* Close tampered accounts verbally & in writing. Check your credit report.
* Take time to follow-up on the dispute-resolution process.
* File & obtain a police report in your city; Get Fraud Alerts at 3 Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax: 800-525-6285 Experian: 888-397-3742 TransUnion 800-680-7289
* Act Fast to notify financial institutions. Always follow-up in writing via certified mail
* Save a record of conversations, noting the date, names, and pertinent information.
* Teach your children and others how to safeguard their personal information.

Two Easy Steps Everyone Can Take
1. Opt Out to reduce annoying solicitations of credit cards and insurance:
1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)

2. Get your free annual credit report: 1-877-322-8228 (Say yes to all 3 Credit Reporting Agencies ie. Credit Bureau reports ) or visit: http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com

Call: Debt Free if you have any identity questions or concerns @ 866-814-3332 or visit us online http://www.dfsettlement.com

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