I watched a program on CNN called \"How to Rob a Bank ?\", recently where they showed how the ID theft is being used by many white collar criminals to rob Billions of Dollars from Banks.
One of the ways shown was to remove posts from the mail boxes, or take posts addressed for people who have already moved which contains Offers for Free Credit Cards or other Loan offers.
These criminals are able to access the private and confidential information and then get these cards to themselves and charge it. The person whose name is on the card ends with a big unpaid balance and a bad credit report.
If you get a credit card offer or some financial or related offer and if you do not want to use it please destroy the envelope completely. I think you can get paper shredder in Walmart at about $30. Do not throw any form of offers, letters or other information into the dustbin, which can accessed by others.
Eventhough it costs CAD 35 for 6 months for a change of address at your local postoffice, always get a post forwarding service so that your mails do not land up in the wrong hands.
Just a thought !.
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"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
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Shankaracharya,
You are right, this is becoming a big pain for all consumers and public.
Here are some tips we received some time back from the credit bureaues and FTC( Federal trade commission).
> Destroy / shred all your mail with personal information inlcuding with promotional mails on credit cards, mortgages and other sweepstakes.
> Destroy/shred all unused, old ( previous year's) Shop receipts, invoices etc which you do not requrie any more. (make sure that DO NOT need them for you Taxation purposes)
> Register immiediately to an OPT-OUT list or registry, the contact details of which are provided by the Credit bureaues, where you can register yourself over phone, which allows you to "opt out" all promotional and unsolicited mail.
I know in US the federal trade commission is one such agency provides this service in conjunction with credit bureaues. it may be termed differently in Canada.
but here is a link .. http://www.101-creditreport.com/optout.htm
and http://www.the-cma.org/consumer/donotcontact.cfm
> Also do not share any of your personal info with anyone you do not know, unless you need to. at least the DOB and SIN.
> If you are on a vacation etc for a longer period than a week or so, GO to the Post office and ask them to put your mail on HOLD till you come back.
these are some of the measures we can to somoe extent control ourselves from falling in to the wrong hands.
Prevention is better than cure....
Location: Mississauga/ Toronto, Can
Posted on: 31-05-06 20:29:00
With the increased connectivity and ease of use of the Internet, identity theft is only going to rise. The only solution at the moment is being careful (perhaps).
Trinity
I have been a victim of this. Ask the credit bureau to put a flag on your account which means your information will not be given to anybody without your permission. E.g. If you apply for a credit card and the bank checks with the bureau, the bureau will call you up to confirm with you and only then give information to the bank. These flags are put on the account for a 5 year period at a time. Not sure if everybody can get this done, but flags were put on my account as I had been a victim.
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LIVE LIFE KINGSIZE..........
Quote:
Originally posted by naudurivsm
> If you are on a vacation etc for a longer period than a week or so, GO to the Post office and ask them to put your mail on HOLD till you come back.
....
It does not make sense if you do not declare your location....you are talking of US,Canada , India , ME......???
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How many of youe keep previous year shopping receipts? and why? I kill them ASA i reach home.
Thanks
Quote:
Originally posted by kingfisher09
I have been a victim of this. Ask the credit bureau to put a flag on your account which means your information will not be given to anybody without your permission. E.g. If you apply for a credit card and the bank checks with the bureau, the bureau will call you up to confirm with you and only then give information to the bank. These flags are put on the account for a 5 year period at a time. Not sure if everybody can get this done, but flags were put on my account as I had been a victim.
Did you have to pay for this service?
How do you apply for the same?
