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If you’ve ever made a major purchase like a home or automobile, you should know how important credit reports are to your life. Credit reports are used for much more than just checking your ability to pay a debt. Many service companies (apartments, auto insurance, cable TV, etc.) check your credit reports before they approve your application. Potential employers are likely to check your credit reports before they make the decision to hire you. Credit reports are the single most valuable tool for you to find out if you’ve become the victim of identity theft.

Your credit report score is a number ranging from 330 to 830, calculated based on a complex and high-protected algorithm. The higher your credit score, the better your credit. A good credit report score makes it more likely that your loan or credit application will be approved, and it makes it more likely that you’ll get a favorable interest rate on money borrowed (whether through a loan or credit card). Three companies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) are the major credit report bureaus that collect and maintain information on your borrowing and repayment history, and they provide reports to your potential creditors upon request. U.S. citizens can by law request one free credit report each year, and you can sign up for a fee to maintain more regular access to your credit reports at all three companies.

What Information Do Credit Reports Contain?

Credit reports contain very detailed information about you including your legal name and any aliases you may have used, current and past addresses, employment history, and date of birth. They also contain details on your credit status that includes:

- Current and past payment status (for example, number of payments over 30, 60, 90 days) on individual loans and credit accounts

- Total number of open and closed accounts, including the credit limit and account balance

- Whether payments on our accounts are current or delinquent

- Public record information like bankruptcy, local court records, liens, judgments, and child support records (This information that can stay in your record for up to 10 years.)

- Specific credit inquires made when we applied for loans or credit accounts in the past (kept very current)

- Detailed account history for each account (kept very current) indicating both on-time and overdue payments

- Credit card debt limit, account balance, and payment history (for active, open, AND closed accounts)

- Your credit score

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime where someone else uses your personal information (name, social security number, home address, etc.) without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. The federal government estimates that as many as 9 million American’s identities are stolen each year. Identity thieves may use your credit report score and record to rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, open a telephone account, or get approval for a major loan (like a mortgage).

When the identity thief fails to pay for the goods or services he has obtained, default on payments will show up in your credit report. This not only lowers your credit report score, but the creditors will most likely come to you to pay off the debt. People don’t usually know this is happening unless they spot an unauthorized charge on a credit card or see unknown credit inquiries and accounts on their credit report.

Some people are able to resolve identity theft problems fairly quickly, but others spend years and thousands of dollars trying to restore their good credit report.

How Does Identity Theft Occur and What Can I do to Prevent It?

While there are a wide variety of ways thieves get your personal information and steal your identity, here are some of the most common methods:

1. Dumpster Diving – The identity thief goes through your garbage to find bills or other mail with your personal information. One way to prevent this is to shred any paper with your name, address, or any other personal information. Be very careful about what you throw out. Once it’s in the garbage, it’s an open book.

2. Skimming – Some technologically-saavy identify thieves can steal your credit card numbers while they are being processed at the store. This is particularly easy when you make online purchases. While you can’t protect yourself from all of these attempts, you can use secure sites when entering credit card or bank information on the internet. Though it’s probably not generally approved of, you can easily use false address and telephone numbers to discourage use of your private information. Be sure and check your statements as soon as they come in for unauthorized orders are charges. And if you do much online banking or bill-paying, you can check your accounts regularly online for charges you didn’t make. Be careful and cautious in using ser IDs and passwords to make purchases or apply for credit on internet sites.

3. Phising – An identity thief may pose as a bank or credit card company and ask you to verify personal information. They may do this through an e-mail that looks as if it has come from a trusted business, through a spammed e-mail asking you to follow an innocent-looking link to their not-so-innocent website, or they may catch you off guard with pop-ups or instant messages requesting personal information. They may even use the telephone to get this information from you. NEVER give your personal information out to anyone you don’t know. Before verifying private information with an online service, check to make sure that the company you deal with is really the company that sent the request.

4. Changing your Address – Identity thieves have been known to divert mail by submitting a change of address notice with the post office, thereby diverting your personal credit information to them. This is one area where maintaining and checking your personal information with companies on the internet may allow you to spot such fraudulent attempts.

5. Old-fashioned Theft – Hold on to your wallet, your purse, mail, pre-approved credit offers, checks, or tax information. Once an identity thief has possession of your belongings, they can easily imitate you and abuse your good credit report.

6. Pretexting – Another technique that is difficult for you to control is the practices of obtaining your personal information from the companies you deal with. The identity thief may pretend to be conducting research to get information the establishment would not otherwise divulge. Once he has your personal information, he may call your bank, pretending he’s lost his checkbook or other important information like your investments. Pretexting is against the law, but you may be the last to know when it’s happened.

The single most important thing you can do to keep your own identity safe is to be aware of all activity on your accounts and to make regular reviews of your credit reports. They will contain the information you need to know if someone else is meddling in your business and using your identity for their benefit. The sooner you know something’s going on, the more quickly and effectively you’ll be able to stop it and have your credit reports corrected. Allowing abuse of your credit report to gone on for months or even years can create a serious, costly, time-consuming effort to win back your good reputation.

What Should I Look for on my Credit Report for Evidence of Identity Theft?

Review your credit report carefully as soon as you receive it. Pay close attention to the report of inquiries about your credit. If you have specifically applied for a loan or opened a new account, you should find a credit inquiry from that company. But additional inquiries may indicate that someone else is making applications using your name and information. If you find such inquiries, immediately contact the inquiring creditor and the credit report agency.

Immediately notify the credit reporting agency if you find errors like a closed account that shows as open or a paid-off balance that appears to be outstanding. You may have to provide documentation to support corrections, and you may have to make the same contact several times to assure the correction is made. But be persistent. Your credit report is a direct reflection of your financial dealings. Creditors and credit report agencies are obligated to report correct information.

Check every credit statement you receive to verify that you know about and approve all charges it contains. Make sure it reflects recent payments, too. Contact the creditor quickly and follow-through to make sure your account information is accurate and up-to-date.

A little common sense and a lot of precaution will help you avoid identity theft and bad credit you didn’t earn. Keep up with your accounts. Review credit reports regularly, and be sure to follow-up when they contain errors. You’ll find the rewards of your effort in your credit report score!

Gone are the days when libraries and other information centers are the best preferences when looking for important information. With the advent and development of computer system applications as well as of Internet technology, acquiring information is not anymore a daunting task to perform. You can now access the information that you will need within just a few clicks of your computer mouse and a few strokes of your computer keyboard. Furthermore, you are not just dealing a single library of information. In fact, the Internet contains more than the information capacity of all existing libraries in the world combined! That is how large the capacity of the Internet is in terms of holding information on various subjects of interest.

Because of the wide availability of the Internet, it is not just considered to be the information superhighway alone, but it is now one of the best business opportunities to start with. There are many jobless individuals who found themselves earning more than the salary of corporate executives. The Internet is flooded with hundreds of ways to earn hundreds, if not thousands of dollars every month. There you have Internet marketing, affiliate marketing, online advertising, online shopping, online auctions, and others. In fact, there are traditional business ventures that switched to Internet-based business, thus increasing their revenues by several percent more.

It is great to do business with the Internet. However, along with the growth of Internet-based businesses as well as the number of websites offering different online-based services come the growth of online threats and various disruptions that can bring Internet-based businesses to a halt. Strong viruses and self-destructing programs are circulating around the Internet, which is not beneficial for individuals and groups who rely on the Internet for their research and business activities.

Fortunately, there are online companies that provide security for Internet users, such as online-based entrepreneurs to protect their computer investment against the risk and danger of unwanted intrusions by hackers and virus programmers. One of which is the Bellsouth Premium Internet Security, which offers services that eliminates the risk and danger of online threats and unwanted disruptions such as the following:

• Free technical support;

• Round the clock (24/7) Internet security and real-time alerts for any unwanted intrusion;

• Automatic software updates;

• Detailed security statistics and event logs; and

• Convenient billing for services acquired from Bellsouth.

One of their Internet security packages that is popular to Bellsouth clients is the Premium Internet Security Suite that includes the following high-profile services:

• The Bellsouth Anti-Spyware Program, which detects and eliminates a wide range of Spyware and other unnecessary tracking software;

• The Bellsouth Anti-Virus Software, which clears and protects your computer against worms, viruses, and harmful elements that may contaminate your computer system; and

• The Bellsouth Firewall Software, which shield your computer system from unauthorized access.

Getting Bellsouth-provided Internet security services will ensure that your Internet-based business is protected against different threats that may harm your computer system, causing your online business to slow down or even shut down its operation. The money that you will spend for these Internet security services is nothing compared to hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars wasted because of these online threats affecting your computer system. With Bellsouth Internet security services, you are assured of a well-rounded business as well as research activities.

Because of the advancement in communications technology, the internet became the most popular tool for businesses. More and more people are taking advantage of the power of internet. Some use the internet to sell things, while others use it to buy things. The internet is also one of the best ways to communicate with your loved ones.

The fact that the internet is used by almost everyone in the world for communication and for financial transaction, there will always be people who will take advantage of this technology to steal from other people. They develop software and other programs that will act as a surveillance device inside your computer or it can be a software programmed to destroy files in your computer.

The thought of some stranger from anywhere in the world taking a look at your very important files that may contain personal and financial information would definitely be a scary thought. With this information, the stranger will be able to steal from you or commit a very serious crime called identity theft or fraud.

This is why you need another kind of software to protect yourself from malicious software that may enter your computer when you download some files in the internet.

One kind of software is called Pc-cillin Internet Security. Pc-cillin Internet Security is developed by Trend Micro Enterprises and is known to be one of the most effective software to combat viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious software popping out in the internet today.

Trend Micro Enterprises is a company that develops security software for computers. It is a company that is widely recognized throughout the world as one of the leading security software developers in the market today.

Pc-cillin Internet Security is one of the most successful software developed by Trend Micro Enterprises. If you want the best protection for your computer from viruses and other malicious software, you should consider getting the Pc-cillin Internet Security.

Pc-cillin Internet Security contains enough features to ward off threats to your computer. Here are the different features that you can find inside the Pc-cillin Internet Security and the reason why you should purchase this particular software:

• Antivirus Security – Pc-cillin is integrated with one of the most effective antivirus programs in the world today. It can successfully scan internet downloads, removable media and networked PCs for viruses and blocks out any attempt by the virus to enter your computer. If some of your files were infected with the computer virus, Pc-cillin antivirus will clean or delete the files immediately after an infection is detected.

• Spyware Security – Spyware is considered as a very dangerous program that may enter your computer. It allows the spyware developer to take a look at your PC if you are connected to the internet. Pc-cillin internet security can and will remove any spyware, adware, grayware, and other related software in your computer.

• Personal Firewall – Hackers with the right software can easily access your computer files through the use of the internet. One way to fight off hackers is through a firewall. Pc-cillin internet security is also integrated with a personal firewall that you can use to deny hackers to have access to your computer. The personal firewall integrated in the Pc-cillin internet security software can also intercept network viruses.

• Fraud Defense – Pc-cillin Internet Security can successfully protect you from online fraudulent scams and websites that may steal your credit card and bank account numbers with this feature.

• Advanced Parental Controls – With this feature, you can control your child’s internet activity by blocking out websites that may contain inappropriate images and text, such as pornography websites and also websites that contains violence.

These are the benefits that you can take advantage of when you purchase and install Trend Micro Enterprises Pc-cillin Internet Security software.

While identity thieves will use any data possible to assume the identity of another, their bread and butter revolves around your name, social security number, account numbers and credit card numbers. With this information, an identity thief’s next vacation is right around the corner. That is why these items should be your most guarded.

Identity thieves have come up with many inventive ways to steal your identity. Some are very technical, some not so much:

• Do you have an outside unlocked mailbox? Why? This is the first stop for an ID thief. Your mailbox allows easy access to your bank statements, credit card numbers, mortgage statements, 401k account information. Your mailbox is an open book to your life. Close it.

• Have you ever received an email from a financial institution with which you have no association and the subject line states that they need your account information to process a transaction (or similar situation)? This is a “phishing” attempt. They cast out their line into the email ocean of millions of addresses hoping only to bait one unsuspecting fish. While you might not have an account with the financial institution they’re using, thousands of people will. How many of those people will be caught off guard? By the way, these emails, if you open them, appear very official and can even appear to link back to the actual institution. Don’t fall for it.

• Does your company website list information about you, maybe in the form of a small bio and a picture? Ouch! Now the identity thief has your employment history, your college information, and so on. The same thing goes for publicly listing your resume. Couple this information with information found in the phone book and the identity thief has your history along with whatever they can garner from your unlocked mailbox.

• They might steal your trash. You’ve seen a movie or twelve in which a criminal steals somebody’s trash and finds out all about them. This is a tactic commonly know as dumpster diving. (A simple fix for this? Buy a shredder, shred everything twice and divide everything into multiple trash bags. This way one trash bag shouldn’t contain the entire shredded remains of any single document.)

• They might pose as a telemarketer from a company they know you do business with and call you to upgrade your service or convince you to buy some add-on. They will be very convincing because they will have your account number, last payment amount, your address and any other bit of information they can glean from the statement they stole from your…you guessed it…unlocked mailbox. They’ll convince you to add on that service or purchase that new whiz-bang gizmo. “Now, sir, all I need is your credit card number, the three digit code on the back of your credit card and your date of birth and we’ll place the order for you today.” Ouch.

• Outright theft. Some identity thieves just don’t have time for elaborate hoaxes or technologically advances scams. They just steal your purse or wallet whenever they see an opportunity. Another thing they might steal: employee records. It’s amazing the information provided in an employee file!

• They might fill out a change of address form and have your statements sent directly to them.

• They might know you! The identity thief might be your brother, cousin, best friend or…spouse. It isn’t unusual for identity theft victims to get played by someone they know. This is the most unfortunate of circumstance because there’s not much you can do to prevent it outside of never talking about your personal information. This, however, can be hard to hide from a spouse or close relative.

This is just a small list of possible ways to have your identity stolen. Most of the above situations can be avoided with a little forethought and planning. Understanding that identity theft is always a possibility is the first step in avoiding it.

Many people do not realize that there are different types of identity theft. There are indeed several ways in which the identity thief can take advantage of your personal information, while leaving you to deal with the repercussions. Here’s what you need to know about the 5 types of identity theft.

The type of identity theft you are probably most familiar with is Financial Identity Theft. It is when the thief uses your information to set up financial accounts in your name without your permission or knowledge. The thief may obtain credit cards, loans, merchandise, homes, vehicles, vacations and more, all in your name. Financial identity theft can definitely cost you thousands of dollars in debt, not to mention the painstaking process of clearing your name and credit.

Another type of identity theft is Medical Identity Theft wherein the thief uses your information to obtain health and other medical benefits and services. Being a victim of medical identity theft can result to fraudulent billing and having erroneous medical files. Your ability to get a health and life insurance may also be affected. Imagine the nightmare of having an actual medical emergency and having your insurance company refusing to cover the bills as records show you’ve already had the procedure done or you’ve depleted your insurance coverage.

An identity thief can not only leave you with tons of debt, but leave you with a criminal record as well. With Criminal Identity Theft, the thieves use your information to obtain employment, to commit or distance themselves from crimes, or provide your information when questioned by law enforcement. Repercussions can range from undeserved tickets to outstanding arrest warrants and even temporary imprisonment. Victims can also be fired from their jobs due to an “undisclosed conviction”.

An identity thief can also use your identity to begin a “new life”. Basically, the thief openly lives and works as you. This type of identity theft is called Character Identity Theft or Identity Cloning. Using your name, the thief can collect tax refunds and receive your benefits, obtain professional licenses, be married, have children or file for bankruptcy. The thieves are usually criminals, fugitives, illegal aliens, or people with poor work or financial history.

These identity thieves are out there to victimized innocent people particularly seniors. They feel that seniors are easy targets because of their financial status and their lack of awareness of the matter.

Identity theft can not only be devastating to individuals but to businesses as well especially in cases wherein the business’ credit and the owner’s credit are one in the same. With Commercial Identity Theft wherein criminals get credit by charging it to another business’ name, business operations may be severely affected due to a loan being denied or called early or if interest rates on key credit accounts are increased due to a universal default cause.

Truly, an awareness of these different types of identity theft is helpful in protecting ourselves from becoming a victim of the crime. Given that identity theft has now become more common, it’s definitely wise to know what we are up against in order to take the appropriate preventive measures.