SECURE FREEZE
LEARN HOW TO MONITOR YOUR CREDIT FREE -  NO FEES ATTACHED
OPT OUT OF ALMOST EVERYTHING - FREE
LEARN ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT CRIMES AND SOPHISTICATED SCAMS
AND SWINDLES

    Identity Theft is our nation's fastest growing crime and will continue to victimize millions of
    people until some form of biometric identification is mandated by law to reduce it in the
    physical world.  There is little protection in the virtual world.  Consumers can shred all the
    documents they want but most of that information will be stored in databases and can be
    obtained free or purchased on the Internet by identity thieves.    Interviewed criminals say it
    now takes them two to three hours instead of weeks to build a convincing stolen identity.  

    Consumers are paying billions for credit monitoring services.  These services may offer
    monetary guarantees for losses incurred and advertise advanced tactics. The simple fact is -
    consumers are not liable for crimes they did not commit. Why pay for a credit monitoring
    service that alerts you that someone has attempted or obtained credit, a service, or new car in
    your name?  Consumers will eventually be notified anyway and can prevent the problem from
    escalating by checking their credit report every four months for free and by placing a fraud
    alert on their credit file.

    CONSUMERS CAN MONITOR THEIR CREDIT FREE BY OBTAINING A FREE
    CREDIT REPORT EVERY FOUR MONTHS FROM EACH CREDIT BUREAU.
    Consumers know by now they are entitled to a free annual credit report.   Most consumers
    are not aware they can obtain a free credit report every four months by timing their request
    from each credit bureau, Experian,Transunion, and Equifax.  Each credit bureau is required
    bylaw to provide a free annual credit report.  AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized agency
    created by the three credit bureaus to allow consumers to request free annual credit reports.  
    Consumers can obtain a free credit report from each credit bureau by timing their request
    every four months at: ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM    Remember not to request a
    credit report twice from the same credit bureau during the twelve month period unless you
    want to pay for it.  

    CONSUMERS CAN REQUEST A  90 DAY, 7 YEAR, OR AN INDEFINITE FRAUD
    ALERT.  CONSUMERS CAN ALSO REQUEST A SECURITY FREEZE ON THEIR
    CREDIT FILE DEPENDING ON THEIR STATE STATUTES.  

    Identity Theft is our nation's fastest growing crime and will continue to victimize millions of people until some form
    of biometric encryption identification is mandated by law to reduce it in the physical world.  There is little protection
    in the virtual world.  Consumers can shred all the documents they want but most of that information will be stored
    in databases and can be obtained free or purchased on the Internet.  Interviewed criminals say it now takes them
    two to three hours instead of weeks to build a convincing stolen identity.  

    CONSUMERS CAN MAKE AN EFFORT TO OPT-OUT OF JUNK MAIL, CREDIT CARD APPLICATIONS,
    TELEMARKETING CALLS, DATABASES, AND MORE UNWANTED SOLICITATIONS

    Opt Out of credit card offers online at www.OptOutPrescreen.com
    To Stop Telemarketing Calls:  www.DoNotCall.gov or call  1-888-382-1222
    To Opt Out of Direct Mail Marketing:   OptOutDirectMail
    To Opt Out of Online Cookie data sharing and advertising:  OptOutCookies
    To reduce Junk Mail:    OptOutOnline       
    To Opt Out of catalog and publishing companies: OptOutCatalogs.  
    To Opt Out of Junk Mail for Deceased  OptOutDeceased
    To Opt Out - Do Not Contact For Caretakers Opt Out Caretakers

    Online identity fraud is proliferating because people are posting personal information on social web sites.   
    Consumers may pay for opting out services but as long as they continue to complete applications for something as
    simple as a grocery store loyalty card, their information will be stored in an online database.  Online databases can
    include your name, date of birth, social security number, and much more.

    Consumers are paying billions for credit monitoring services.  These services may offer monetary guarantees for
    incurred losses and advertise advanced tactics. The simple fact is - you are not liable for a crime you did not
    commit. Why pay for a credit monitoring service that alerts you that someone has attempted or obtained credit, a
    service, or new car in your name?  Consumers will eventually be notified anyway.  You can do your own no-cost
    credit monitoring and prevent problems from escalating by checking your credit report every four months free and
    by requesting free 90 day fraud alerts on your credit file.

    CONSUMERS CAN MONITOR THEIR CREDIT FREE BY OBTAINING A FREE CREDIT REPORT EVERY
    FOUR MONTHS FROM EACH CREDIT BUREAU. Consumers know they are entitled to a free annual credit
    report.   Most consumers are not aware they can obtain a free credit report every four months by timing their
    request from each credit bureau: Experian,Transunion, and Equifax.  Each credit bureau is required by law to
    provide a free annual credit report.  AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized agency created by the three major
    credit bureaus that allows consumers to request free annual credit reports.  Obtain a free credit report from each
    credit bureau by timing your request every four months at: ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM    The automated
    AnnualCreditReport request number is 877-322-8228.  Remember not to request a credit report twice
    from the same credit bureau during the twelve month period unless you want to pay for it.  Reviewing your credit
    report may help you catch discrepancies and errors that could indicate you've fallen victim to identity theft.

    YOU CAN REQUEST A  90 DAY FRAUD ALERT , 7 YEAR FRAUD ALERT, OR A SECURITY FREEZE
    ON YOUR CREDIT FILE
    You can request a fraud alert on your credit file requiring creditors to contact you when someone is attempting
    credit using your identifiers   A creditor should contact you by phone to verify that you are actually the person
    opening the account.   To obtain an extended alert or security freeze - the credit bureaus' general guidelines require
    you to send them a request letter by certified mail containing your full name, date of birth,  social security number,
    current and former addresses, and an enlarged photocopy of an official document (phone bill, pay stub, W-2 form,
    driver's license, or utility bill).  It is ironic that the credit bureaus require you to place enough information in the mail
    that, if obtained or stolen, would allow someone to quickly assume your identity and possibly obtain a loan on a new
    car in your name.   You will have to contact a credit bureau to request an extended fraud alert. To place a fraud
    alert by phone:  Experian 1-888-397-3742   TransUnion 1-800-680-7289  Equifax   1-800-525-6285.  The credit
    bureau that receives your fraud alert will place the alert with the other bureaus.   Most consumers are not
    aware that the credit bureaus offer an extended 7 year alert.    To Request A 90 Day Fraud Alert, 7 Year
    Fraud Alert, or Active Duty Fraud Alert Online - FRAUD ALERT ONLINE FORM

    A Security Freeze allows you to password protect your credit, lock it from almost all inquiries, and prevent new
    credit accounts attempted in your name.  If you have a Security Freeze and an impostor attempts to obtain credit in
    your name, the credit issuer should check your credit and receive a "not accessible" statement and the credit should
    be rejected. A security freeze does not affect your existing accounts and can be lifted and locked for a period of time
    upon your request with a password if you need new credit.  A security freeze is ineffective if someone with your
    identifiers applies for credit with a business that does not check your credit.  A Security Freeze may be too
    restrictive for you.   Security freezes are not allowed in every state.  Fees apply.   For a detailed list of states  that   
    allow   a   Security   Freeze  and   instructions  on  how  to  obtain  one, click here: SECURITY FREEZE STATES
    AND REQUIREMENTS  

    Consumers may be frustrated to learn that police agencies may not provide them with a police report if an impostor
    has drained their account(s).  If your financial institution or credit/debit card company reimburses your accounts
    without a dispute process, you are not the ultimate financial loser.  The company that reimbursed you is the loser.    
    You will be a victim of emotional stress!  Police agencies require you to prove you are a victim for good reason.  If
    an identity criminal obtains a police report, he or she can create accounts in their name or other names, and use the
    police report to dispute their fraudulent activity on their own accounts.  Police agencies will require documentation
    that supports your claim.  You may be required to appear at the police agency, provide your thumb print, allow a
    detective to take your picture, and provide a sworn affidavit.



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