IdentityTheftSolutionTips
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 12:00 am
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Updated: 4:44 am, Sun Jan 12, 2014.
Action Line: Tips help you guard against credit fraud, identity theft
By PHIL MULKINS World Action Line Editor
TulsaWorld.com
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0 comments
Dear Action Line: The Target hack begs advice and a remedy. Besides checking credit reports, what else should we do? What signs should we watch for? — S.H., Tulsa
Target response: A Dec. 20 Target statement said no proof of PIN compromise exists for bank- or Target-issued debit cards. Cash cannot be withdrawn from ATMs with stolen debit card numbers. You are not responsible for such charges — your bank and Target are.
Unauthorized card purchases: Bill Hardekopf, CEO of watchdog LowCards.com, said we should all review monthly card statements for fraudulent debit or credit card use. If you find buys you don’t remember, contact the card company immediately.
Unexpected credit approvals: When you find you are approved for loans or credit cards you never applied for, this signals identity theft. But be careful about jumping to that conclusion as businesses often mass-mail what appear to be loan approvals in seeking loan applications from recipients.
Credit decline: People who stay current on credit card payments have good credit and no problem getting loans. If ever you apply for a loan and are instantly declined, this signals issues with your credit you don’t know about. The same is true of rejection for card use at merchant registers. If you should but don’t have credit, investigate.
Collection letters: If you start getting collection letters from companies you never deal with, contact them about your mutual problem. It could be someone has been opening accounts under your name. Call the collection company and explain the situation.
Email account woes: Identity thieves hack into email accounts seeking financial data. They look for bank statements, credit card receipts, etc.
Flagged account warnings: If your bank or credit card account has odd charges on it, your financial institution can flag your account for closer monitoring. If you get a letter or a call from your bank, use the number on your bank statement to call the person back. The letter might really be from a crook seeking your identity. Don’t give out your Social Security number or other sensitive information without verifying the person’s identity.
Declining credit score: A severe drop in credit score can signal an identity thief at work. Dropping a couple points from time to time is to be expected, but not dropping 50+ points. There should be a page in your credit report that details the various accounts you have open. If you find one you didn’t open, contact the company to say so.
Arrest warrants: Unless you run with a pack, having your name on arrest warrants means someone broke the law after showing your stolen ID. Prove to police your whereabouts during the criminal act to help them put the right name on the warrant.
Missing mail: Not receiving bills on time can mean someone has taken them from your mailbox or had bills for goods your credit card bought them delivered to their mailbox. Call the company to ask if it sent your bills to a new address, and if so, have them resent and to monitor your credit accounts in the meantime.
Submit Action Line questions by calling 918-699-8888, emailing phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or by mailing them to Tulsa World Action Line, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102-1770.
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Posted in
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Sunday, January 12, 2014 12:00 am.
Updated: 4:44 am.
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Credit,
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Identity,
Bank,
Target,
Account,
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Article source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/actionline/action-line-tips-help-you-guard-against-credit-fraud-identity/article_0659b349-e1af-574c-9886-547ee4ae0a7f.html
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