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... You didn’t have to worry about much damage when you ‘accident hit something, they were indestructible. In the same way, BatesRealEstateGroup, single-family-homes-lofts-for-sale monthly blog will keep on rolling along, month after month with articles that are sure to keep you coming back for more.

Someone’s taken your name and used it for mischievous purposes.

You’ve been a victim of a crime and you didn’t even know it.
What is identity theft?  

In this day of digital information, criminals are finding ever more ingenious ways to get access to your information. Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. 

Your best defense is to be aware. When it comes to your financial information, stay alert and watch for these common signs of identity theft:

1. Bills arrive for a credit card account that you never opened

2. Your credit card bills include charges you did not make (like for that wild night in Kazakhstan)

3.  Extremely late credit card statements, or statements that do not arrive before the payment due date 

4.  Your bank statements contain unfamiliar transfers or withdrawals 

5.  You have ordered new checks, but they have not arrived at your house 

6.  Lenders deny your requests for credit, but last time you checked you were in good standing 

How Do I Avoid Identity Theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, over a half-million Americans will become victims of identity theft this year. And while it’s not always preventable, there are things you can do to keep the odds in your favor.

1. Upon receiving your credit card and bank statements each month; take a close look  to make sure  that no un-authorized activities occurred.

2. Call your bank or credit card company if a statement is late. A missing bill could be an indication that a thief called up the company using your name and had them redirect the bill (in the hopes that you wouldn’t see a record of their shopping spree).

3.  Never give out personal information over email, the internet or on the phone unless you have initiated the contact. Identity thieves often pose as government officials, reps from  the bank, credit card company or Internet

Service Providers in order to con you into revealing your personal information.

4.  Use intricate passwords for your computer, email and Internet accounts.  The best passwords use a combination of numbers, capital and lower case letters. Never use something obvious, like your maiden name, phone number or birth date as a password.

5.Shred documents with your personal information on them before disposing of them. (Credit card receipts, insurance forms, physician and bank statements, credit card offers)

6.  Don’t leave outgoing mail in your own mailbox. It’s incredibly easy for identity thieves to pickpocket mailboxes and putt bank numbers from checks, personal information bills, and a variety of other personal info. Instead, deposit it directly into post office boxes

7.  Keep your social security card in a safe location. Never keep it in your wallet or carry it around with you. Likewise, carry only the necessary ID and credit cards with you.

8.  Cancel credit cards that you don’t need or use.  When canceling, tell the lender to make a note that the “card cancelled at the cardholder’s request”.

9.  Only give out your social security number, when it’s absolutely necessary.  Ask if you can use a form of different identification instead. 

All information is general in nature and not warranted or guaranteed. Readers are cautioned not to rely solely on this information. Contact your tax advisor or other professional for advice.