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5 types of
identity theft?
Most people think of credit
card theft when they think of identity theft. There are actually 5 different
kinds of identity theft even more severe then credit card theft:
CREDIT CARD THEFT: If you
give your card at a restaurant or any place where the card is out of your
sight, then you run the risk of identity theft. Waiters have been known to get
credit card details and sell it to someone else so it cannot be traced back to
them. Next time you are in a situation where your credit card is going to be
out of sight, try to pay at the register yourself.
DRIVERS LICENSE THEFT: You
get stopped by a cop and next thing you know there is a warrant for your
arrest. You wonder how that can be? Somebody stole your driver’s license
information and ran up tickets. Never let your driver’s license out of sight or
your possession. Be extra-extra careful with your driver’s license.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
THEFT: This is widespread because people
don’t realize that they leave their social security numbers laying
around on so many documents. In the old days, it was considered harmless to ask
for social security numbers on practically every form. Those days are gone. Now a days a thief can
create a whole new identity with your social security number. Do not put your
social security numbers on forms unless absolutely necessary. A lot of the old
forms ask for social security number. I will give you a classic example. You go
to a clinic and the first thing they want you to put down is social security number. There is no reason for it if you have
provided insurance information. Your insurance company knows how to identify
you. I never fill the social security number till they don’t justify why they
need it. So next time don’t just fill out your social security number just
because they ask for it on the form. Ask why they need it?
CRIMINAL IDENTITY THEFT:
These days it is common for crooks to commit crimes under false identity. When
they get caught they already have their false identification documents in place
so the crime goes under your name. Imagine getting pulled into the police
station and being interrogated for crimes you did not commit. Most people find
it a shocking experience. Try at that time to explain it is not you but
somebody else. Get a lawyer or a service that can help with identity
restoration. Read more on a website ‘rvats’.
MEDICAL INDENTITY THEFT: The
most serious of them all. You go for a check up and the doctor asks you when
you contracted AIDS? You are shocked! Well your report shows that somebody had
a HIV test under your name and was positive.
You see people who are in that lifestyle, they are not getting tested
under their identity. So they latch on to your identity and put it on your medical
records. Now it is your job to clean up all the mess!!
There are a lot of products
to help with identity theft protection. Most are not very good because they do
not address the issue of ‘identity restoration’ because it is very expensive.
On the average it takes more than 600 hours to run around various agencies to
clear your name. It is very frustrating to say the least. Worst still, it costs
on the average over $92,000 to restore your identity. The costs are staggering.
Banks only offer identity theft pertaining to your accounts with them. Same
with credit cards. Credit card companies will only fix their own account and
that too after a lot of hassle. For all your other accounts and records,
(medical, criminal, social security etc) YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN! You can read more
at a website ‘rvats’. Don’t be caught unprotected. It is like
leaving your house door unlocked. Educate yourself and get the appropriate
protection that can actually restore your identity if anything were to happen.
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