Identity Theft: Are You The Only You?
by Craig Goebbel
President & CEO, LoanTek, Inc.

We live in a complicated world and unless you are willing to disconnect from the modern world, you need to have some essential numbers attached to you. Even though your height, weight and age are important numbers, they pale in comparison to the ultimate digital identity, your social security number. For identity thieves, it is the single most important information they can gain about you.

How do identity thieves get your personal information?
They steal wallets, purses and mail. They complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail. They go “dumpster diving”, rummaging through the trash from homes, businesses and banks. They get your business or personnel records at work. They find personal information in your home. They use personal information you share on the Internet. They buy your personal information from store employees

Last November, Senator Maria Cantwell introduced legislation to assist victims by requiring businesses to give you relevant records necessary to restore your name. However, the bill has not yet passed. In the meantime, there are prudent things you can do now to protect yourself.

An Ounce of Prevention
Here are some ways to minimize your risk: Pay attention to billing cycles. If bills don’t arrive on time, contact your creditors; Put passwords on credit card and bank accounts; Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact and know who you are dealing with; Keep personal information in a safe place; Only carry the ID and the credit cards you must have when you travel to minimize the impact of a lost or stolen wallet.

Also, at least once a year order your credit report from each credit repository and review them carefully for accuracy and all inquiries. I recommend doing this every six months, it is money well spent.

It would be a good idea to cut this article out of the paper just so you have the credit agency information handy when you need it. It is even a better idea to put this article in a file that includes names, addresses and phone numbers of all of your creditors as well as banking and brokerage relationships. Don’t forget to include your friendly mortgage lender!

CREDIT BUREAUS

Equifax – http://www.equifax.com

To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285/ TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian – http://www.experian.com

To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013
To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)/ TDD:
800-972-0322 and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion – http://www.transunion.com

To order your report, call: 800-916-8800 or write:
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289/ TDD:
877-553-7803 and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-679

© 1999 - 2004 LoanTek

Craig Goebbel is President and CEO of LoanTek.com, mortgage loan brokerage.  He is also producer and host of Real Estate Radio Show, a Seattle-based talk show featuring mortgage and real estate news, interviews and listener calls. It is broadcast on KVI Radio AM 570 in Seattle, Washington. Past show are also webcast via the Internet at http://www.realestateradio.net.

Real Estate Radio Sponsor

Real Estate Radio with Goebbel and Gray is the leading real estate radio talk show in the world and is hosted by Real Estate home mortgage expert Craig Goebbel, owner of LoanTek Home Loans and Robb Gray of John L. Scott Real Estate.