CRIMETALKAMERICA: YOUR A TARGET ! IDENTITY THEFT !!!

Identity Theft is a major problem for everyone in America and in other countries as well. While the incidents, as being reported have reduced this past year by 28%, still more than 8.1 million of people have been reported as victims.It's 3 million less than 2009.

At the same time the cost of identity theft in 2010 was 37 billion dollars, down from the 2009 costs of 56 billion. Batch data losses in 2010 is estimated at 26million records vulnerable. This is the result of a reduction in data breaches from previous years. Thus personal information such as; social security numbers, home addresses, date of birth exposure was reduced by the reduction in the data batch decrease. Some of this is the result of banks and other financial institutions, hospitals, and governmental agencies are more stringent about data protocol, policy and procedures. Consumer awareness and education also has an impact the reduction of identity theft.

But! Along with the good news, come some facts of reality. Losses continue to pile up. Identity theft costs and average of more than $600 per incident.In most matters the consumer is not held liable for fraudulent debts. However, most victims have to spend money to clear their names. Often it takes months or even years. It may be cost of attorney's to file complaints or litigation against the collection agency, or even clearing your name from the three credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, Trans Union. Many consumers who are intimidated from collection harassment calls, by third party collection agencies, arrange a payoff of the debt, rather than continue to fight. Sometimes, a victim of identity theft may be arrested for fraud, caused by the identity thieves. This may cause the victim attorney's fees, bail and even a fine to pay court costs. Just caught up in a system that is overwhelmed, understaffed and blind to all who are accused.

Javelin Strategy and Research Group, the research company reporting such findings also identifies many incidents of identity fraud as "friendly fraud". This is defined as identity theft caused by a person know to the victim. These victims have ab average age of between 25 and 34 years of age.

REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE BY;

Protect your identity data. Reduce shared information, where possible.
Do not answer unsolicited e-mails requesting your personal information.
When applying for Internet software, do not provide proper name, address, dob etc.
Destroy data like checkbooks, old documents, insurance papers, etc. through a cross-cut shredder.
When using your credit card in a restaurant, or other shopping in a mall, boutique, do net let your credit card out of you sight. Often handheld "skimmers" used by a network of identity thieves use these portable information gatherers, the download all your information from the metallic strip on your card.
Use pre-paid credit cards, not linked to your bank account, business, address or spouse or children.
Confirm your account status at least once a month... deposit cash only into your independent credit card....then purchase another with a substantial deposit...use the a minimum of $1000 on the first and about $5000 on the second. This allows you small purchases, restaurants, clothing, even dinners, while the larger amount gives you some freedom for large item or chases.
Always pay special attention when you receive a notice, either by U.S. mail or e-mail of an official notice that your personnel information has been lost or stolen. DO NOT ANSWER DIRECTLY! Call and confirm with the credit reporting company, credit card account holder or bank ass to the authenticity of the lost claim. Have them also send you a written official notice via U.S. Mail.
Monitor your credit reports through the reporting agencies to avoid being a continued victim.