| If your credit score is embarrassing to you chances | | | | your credit score has taken a giant hit. |
| are you've made a mistake in your past which is | | | | To keep this from happening and prevent identity theft |
| cause your score to drop. If this is the case don't | | | | you should always check your bank statements |
| worry because there are plenty of things you can do | | | | carefully. Also in order to fight ID theft you can enroll in |
| to get your score back on track. But sometimes | | | | paperless statements so you don't have to worry |
| people's credit rating takes a giant hit not because of | | | | about shredding all of your documents before throwing |
| something they did but because of either a mistake on | | | | them away. With that being said there are plenty of |
| someone else's part or even because of possible | | | | online predators as well so that can't be the only |
| criminal activity in the form of identity theft. Here are | | | | solution. If by chance you do see any phantom |
| some tips on how to keep your credit score and | | | | charges report them immediately. In addition to |
| identity safe from online ID theft. | | | | checking your bank account statements you should |
| Tons of people who are meticulous about paying their | | | | also review your credit report regularly to make sure |
| bills on time and keeping their debts relatively low are in | | | | everything is in order. |
| for a giant surprise when they find out their credit | | | | If you want to take it to the next level you can enroll in |
| score is abysmal. Lots of times this is because of | | | | a credit monitoring protection plan. When enrolled you |
| identity theft. In short identity theft is a crime in which | | | | will receive notices any time changes are made to |
| criminals steal a person's valuable information to gain | | | | your report. Some plans even offer insurance up to |
| access to their financial accounts. | | | | hundreds of thousands of dollars in case a debt is |
| Let's say someone figures out your credit or debit | | | | created in your name unlawfully. |
| card pin number and every month they remove a | | | | If you have been in identity theft victim you should |
| small amount of cash. Or maybe somebody goes | | | | report everything to the police as soon as possible and |
| through your trash and finds bank statements and | | | | get a police report as well. Send a copy of the report |
| other documents that have pertinent information on | | | | to your bank and all three credit bureaus. Then |
| them. They then use this information to apply for credit | | | | proceed to close all your accounts and reopen new |
| cards in your name with no intention of ever paying | | | | ones. |
| back the money. Now you're stuck with a giant debt in | | | | When it comes to protecting your credit and avoiding |
| your name and you have no idea how or when it got | | | | identity theft being proactive is the most important |
| there. Not only is there money to be paid back but | | | | decision you will ever make. |