Identity theft is in fact quite a complicated and impressive process. These thieves are smart people who can go to great lengths and use technology to steal your identity. It can cause you monetary damage and stress, if not more. There have been incidents where the wrong individuals have faced court harasment thanks to the fact that an identity thief had committed a crime under their name!
In more cases than not, by the time you find out about such misuse of your identity, the criminal is well hidden under a different one. You are left with a bad reputation and a lot of paper work to take care of with the bank and maybe the police. Being the victim of such a crime is not easy to shake off. At first you have to prove your self innocent of any crime that has been committed under your identity, and then you have to prove it over and over again to people through the years.
Did you know that bank identity theft is nothing new? It's been around for many years before we even had credit cards or electronic banking. It is the process of withdrawing funds from a person's account under the pretence of being that person. This could happen if the person who holds the account has not visited the bank for many years. The imposter could show up as the account holder, and sign a well forged signature to withdraw huge funds. In another kind of bank identity theft, the thief could pose as an individual with a good credit rating, if he or she had access to this person's personal details such as credit rating and social security number. Once they prove this they can take a huge loan and disappear, leaving the bank looking for the wrong guy!
Identity theft can occur thanks to any of your personal information falling into the wrong hands. A drivers' license, an email password or a credit card pin - any such information can give an identity thief an inlay into your life and identity. Here are a few warning signs that should alert you when someone is accessing your account -
1. You are billed for a credit card that you never did apply for in the first place. Report this to the bank and to the police immediately.
2. You see charges on your credit statement that you never authorized.
3. Your statements are unusually late.
4. Your bank statements speak on transactions that are new to you.
5. Collection agents notify you regarding credit accounts you never opened.
6. Follow up calls from customer service departments - about consumables you did not purchase.
7. Debts displayed on the credit report - ones that you did not file for.
When you see any of these signs, call the bank to verify your statement immediately.
About the Author:
Abhishek is a Personal Security expert and he has got some great Identity Theft Prevention Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 136 Pages Ebook, "Identity Theft - Don't Be The Next Victim!" from his website http://www.Survival-Today.com/14/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
