The easiest way to avoid identity theft
Sign up for one of the three bureau credit monitoring services. I use the one at Equifax.com. It's $149 for the whole year but you can often find coupons online to bring it down to $99. I get an e-mail any time there is a change to any of my three credit reports, and I can check via their 800 number 24 hours a day. It's well worth the money.
In my case, I don't need to pay. I just check my account regularly thru email or thru the toll free number of my credit card provider. I also check the details of my statement of account and file a chargeback if the need arises.
I signed up with trucredit.com. They send me updates every month. It's pretty good.
I keep a close watch on my credit. I'm thinking about signing up for a monitoring service though. You can never be too careful.
[QUOTE=squirrel;1366]In my case, I don't need to pay. I just check my account regularly thru email or thru the toll free number of my credit card provider. I also check the details of my statement of account and file a chargeback if the need arises.[/QUOTE]
That is fine for unauthorized charges on your credit card, but how do you know someone isn't opening additional credit card accounts under your name?
In my country it is not possible to open additional credit card accounts without my signature and the necessary supporting documents. The usual background investigation is still in effect. It is not a ministerial thing that if I already have an existing credit card, I can easily get another account from other credit card providers.
[QUOTE=squirrel;1510]In my country it is not possible to open additional credit card accounts without my signature and the necessary supporting documents. The usual background investigation is still in effect. It is not a ministerial thing that if I already have an existing credit card, I can easily get another account from other credit card providers.[/QUOTE]
What country do you live in? Can you not apply for a credit card online or through the mail there. or do they just require you to send in copies of supporting documents?
[QUOTE=Mirer14;1333]Sign up for one of the three bureau credit monitoring services. I use the one at Equifax.com. It's $149 for the whole year but you can often find coupons online to bring it down to $99. I get an e-mail any time there is a change to any of my three credit reports, and I can check via their 800 number 24 hours a day. It's well worth the money.[/QUOTE]
you are right about that.. thanks for the info..
sigs
Rep Points: 510
i wont ask for supporting documents if you have an accoutn in the same bank. still i dont think credit card companies follow stinget measures to check the backgound of an individual. they just want to sell as many cards as they can.
It seems to me that all we can do is to try and make ourselves less appealing to a fraudster. I have actually gone a little far - I have found that my paranoia has lead me to shred documents that I still need ... it is a real pain in the neck when I realise that I have destroyed things that I need info from!!
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