I wanted to write this topic because identity theft can not only hurt your credit rating but your fico score as well. It only takes a few minutes to check your accounst online. Make the time!!!!!!
YES, THIS PROBLEM CAN DEVESTATE YOUR GOOD SCORES AND CAUSE YOU NOT TO BE ABLE TO EGT ANY NEW CREDIT OR CREDIT LINE INCREASES UNTIL YOU CLEAR IT UP.
There are people that are there own worst enemies. In other words they do not take the small number of minutes to check their credit, or online banking. I decided that I am not going to be a statistic. In 1999, someone had stolen my personal information and had attempted to open up a credit account but failed because one month prior I had filed a medical bankruptcy. Here is what I have done to protect myself since then and now.
1. All three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, & Transunion) have a fraud alert added to my credit reports with only my cell phone number.
2. All three credit bureaus have a credit freeze.
3. I signed up for credit monitoring through Equifax which also keeps an eye on Experian & transunion Credit Bureaus as well.
4. I use a post office box to receive my mail. When I mail anything I only go directly into the post office lobby.
5. I shred everything including envelopes or magazines with the page that contains my name & address.
6. I check my online banking everyday for my banks and credit union accounts.
7. I check my credit card accounts online everyday.
8. I have OPTED OUT of getting preapproved credit offers in the mail.
9. I do not write personal checks or do I use debit cards. The pin number for your debit card is not fool proof. I also have both of these notated with my banks and credit unions. So even if someone claimed I wrote them a check out both my banks and credit union would automatically deny the check from through or being cashed.
To check my online accounts only takes about five to ten minutes. If I ever happen to see a inquiry with any of the credit bureaus I immediately contact the company directly.
Let me know what you think. By the way, if you do credit monitoring through Equifax then for $ 2.00 more per month you can freeze and unfreeze as many times as you want but it's only with Equifax. The other two bureaus cost $ 10.00
