How to Recover from Identity Theft
Your wallet and credit cards have never been out of your control, but someone managed to take your charge accounts out on a spending spree. It's infuriating and violating, and it's called identity theft. While the thief enjoys a new plasma TV at your expense, you are left to deal with a paperwork nightmare, but software such as CasePlanner Identity Theft Risk and Recovery Manager can make the proce ss of rebuilding your credit less painful.
An Ounce of Prevention
Some Internet users want nothing more than to drain your bank account and max out your credit cards. eBay, the online auction site, has documented hundreds of online scams, including phony emails that ask eBay members to verify their passwords. CasePlanner helps users identify potential scams and keeps them from becoming a victim.
Take Charge of the Situation
Identity theft victims spend hundreds of hours on the phone with creditors and law enforcement agencies. CasePlanner helps the victim document phone calls and compose letters to creditors. Taking proactive steps like these is a good way to reduce your chances of this ever happening again.
Add a Fraud Alert
Even if you aren't an identity theft victim, it's a good idea to add a "Fraud Alert" to your credit report that includes a home or work phone number. Creditors will see the alert and call to verify that you did indeed apply for credit. In addition to one free copy of a credit report each year, the three credit reporting bureaus offer monitoring services that, for a small monthly fee, send out email alerts when new accounts are opened or the balance on an existing account gets too high.
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Electronic commerce is here to stay and there's no reason why an honest consumer can't buy clothing or electronics online, but it pays to be careful. CasePlanner can help you feel more secure when making those online purchases.
Steven Bryan