According to the 2019 Identity Fraud Study from research and advisory firm Javelin, last year, around 14.4 million people were victims of identity fraud. Millions of people are always at risk of identity theft every year. The identity theft includes common types of frauds such as online hacking, credit or debit card skimming and stealing of email. Nearly a quarter of identity stolen victims had unreimbursed personal expenses related to the fraud, and the median loss was $375 among cases reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to open new financial accounts, file tax returns or even make fraudulent medical claims. Here are some steps you can consider when found that your identity is stolen:
1. Immediately File A Report With The Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission piles up the information regarding identity theft cases. This information will be used by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI that will help them to track down perpetrators. For filing a report to FTC, visit www.identitytheft.gov. After they go through your complaint, you will receive a recovery plan and even prefilled letters and forms that can be used to file police reports and dispute fraudulent charges.
2. Go To The Police
After you get the complied report from the FTC, the next step is to visit your local police department to file a report. Filing a police report will protect you from further damages resulting from the stolen identity. When you visit the police, just make sure the report lists all accounts affected by the fraud. You should provide as much documented information as possible, along with your Identity Theft Report. Just make sure to get a copy for your own records. Don’t forget to save the phone number of your police investigator for future reference.
3. Inform About Your Theft To The IRS And Your Identity Theft Insurance
There may also need to inform about your identity theft to two other entities, depending on your situation. First, you should notify the IRS if your Social Security number was used to file an income tax return. You can do this by submitting a Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit, explains Neal Stern, a CPA member of the American Institute of CPAs' Financial Literacy Commission. Secondly, you need to contact your identity theft insurance provider, if you have one. Some companies, such as LifeLock and IdentityForce sell identity theft protection services that include insurance coverage.
4. Contact The Credit Reporting Agencies To Put Fraud Alert
Contact three major credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion immediately and request a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. A fraud can out negative impact on your credit report, so you need to put a fraud alert in account which will stay on your credit report for a year. This will notify any creditor, lender or institution that conducts a credit check on your report to the fact that your identity may be compromised. The alert will prompt the lenders to take extra efforts to verify the identity of the person opening the account. Requesting a fraud alert is free. You can contact any one of the three credit bureaus and request a fraud alert, the one will pass on the information to other two agencies and the fraud alert will be put on all three of your credit files.
5. Put A Security Freeze On Your Credit Report
When you get to know that identity has been stolen, just place a security freeze on your credit report. This will prohibit the credit bureaus from releasing any information in your credit report to anyone without your approval. When the creditors, banks and other financial institutions can’t access your credit file, this could prove extra layer of protection by preventing any new credit or loan approval in your name without your authorization.
6. Gather All Documents Opened Using Your Personal Information
Ask the creditors or banks for copies for any applications or any other data and records related to transactions or accounts that have been done using your personal information to indentify the identity theft. You have the right to get these details from the creditors only after showing your proof of your identity, a police report, and an FTC Identity Theft Report.
7. Collect Information From Debt Collectors
You have the right to collect any information about debt taken in your name from the debt collectors for identifying the identity theft.
8. Secure Your Accounts With Strong Passwords
There are many people who don’t change their passwords and this is even worse when people use same passwords for all websites or accounts. Using a strong password which cannot be easily guessed is a way to ensure that you are safe. Put different passwords for different websites and accounts and keep changing them from time to time. Always use an upper case, lower case character, numbers and a special character in your password.
9. Review Your Credit Reports On Regular Basis
When you are a victim of credit card fraud or stolen identity, it is important to keep monitoring your credit reports once in a year to check for errors and rectify them.
10. Review Your Credit Card And Bank Statements Regularly
It is important to keep your eyes open when you go through your credit card and bank statements. Identity thieves may start with charges or withdrawals as small as $1 to test the waters. So, carefully review each and every transaction and if you see any problem or suspicious activity, request to close the card or account immediately. www.paydaytree.ca
Payday Tree Blog #installment loans canada
31Jul
Fetch the needed money now and pay back later in small installment by just choosing to opt for Installment Loans Canada. They are considered a tailor-made financial solution for those people who need finance for unavoidable needs but cannot afford to repay back the loan in full within shorter time span.
A Convenient Repayment Option
The most advantageous thing about Payday Loans Canada is that you will get an opportunity to borrow good amount of funds that you need the most with a wonderful facility to pay it back later in a number of small predicted payments, over a period of time. So, there is no hurry to pay back full loan amount in lump sum. Take your time and make equal monthly, weekly or fortnightly installments to repay back the loan to the lender and the interest charged.
Easy Lending Criteria
Qualifying for these loans is quite easy. Just confirm having Canadian citizenship with minimum age of eighteen years, hold a valid checking account in your name for electronic fund transfer and must also have a proof of regular employment with steady monthly income.
Use Money For Any Unavoidable Financial Necessities
No restriction is put on the usage of borrowed funds. Once you gained the loan amount you can freely spent it to tackle any important financial requirements that are hard to avoid.
Search, Compare And Find Loans Of Your Choice Via Online
There is cut-throat competition going on among almost all top lenders online. Therefore, lenders offer Installment Loans Canada at different rates and terms. Compare loan costs, calculate the fee charged and learn about the terms and conditions for loans.
On using careful comparison tools and calculators you can find the most appropriate loan offer. Spend few minutes online to complete the loan application process. Drop in your valid which lenders will verify and then they will respond to your loan request quickly.
Money plays a very crucial role in everybody’s life. But when you have lack of it then things may turn unfavorable for you. With having no money in hands you just could not able to fulfill the demand of unexpected financial emergencies. This crisis situation impels you to apply for a loan. If you want your loan to be attached with easy repayment term, then Installment Loans Canada prove to be a suitable option. These loans are handy when you need a loan with flexible repayment term.
What Makes These Loans Different From Payday Loans?
Payday loans are meant to be repaid back by your next paycheck. Whereas these loans come up with a facility to pay it back in small equal predicted payments, over a period of time. Easy repayment term in small equal installments is the major highlight of Installment Loans Canada. The borrowed loan amount can be used for any personal financial needs without any delay.
What Is The Best Way To Find These Loans?
Online is the biggest and reliable medium where you can very easily search, compare and find loans, without leaving your home or office comfort. Several reputed lenders are associated with online medium and offer loans at drastically different rates and terms. On carefully collecting their loan quotes and using loan calculators, you can able to get hold on the right loan deal that best suits your requirements.
How To Apply For A Loan Via Online?
All you will need to do is fill out a short loan application form with the required details and you are done with the application. It hardly takes few minutes to complete the form. Lenders will get back to you in no time after verifying your details and if your loan request is approved then you will get the money right into your bank account in just few working days.
What You May Need To Ask Yourself While Applying For A Loan?
• How much money do you need?
• What your credit score is?
• For what purpose do I need the money?
• For how long do I need the money?
So, get over with short term financial problems with easy repayment term by simply taking assistance of Installment Loans Canada!
