Identity Theft has become the nation's most popular crime to commit. In fact, identity theft costs consumers and businesses countless billions of dollars a year. There are many facets to identity theft and in this latest blog, these will be covered so that you may be empowered to battle back and restore your good name.
When consumers think of identity theft, most of the time this is only with regard to credit cards. Unfortunately, there is a whole lot more to identity theft, credit cards and credit reports. Identity theft can occur in all the following areas:
1. Credit Card & Check Theft;
2. Medical Identity;
3. Social Security Identity;
4. Commercial Driver's License (CDL);
5. Criminal Databases
Here are just a few case studies that I have personally witnessed or read about in the newspaper:
Case Study A: Hacker places phony card reader over the insert of a Bank of America ATM popular with bank clients as well as a camera to record the the PIN entries made on the keypad;
Case Study B: Criminal steals a neighbor's checkbook and forges the signature of the checking account owner to make fraudulent purchases;
Case Study C: Criminal raids mail boxes of elder people to obtain social security checks. With updated printing equipment, multiple social security checks are created and cashed using assumed identities;
Case Study D: Son finds out father (who has no ethics) assumed his son's name to obtain a medical operation. Son finds out about the crime, chooses not to prosecute (because he loves his father) and is still stuck with the medical bills (and of course, the father does not care);
Case Study E: Truck driver has a CDL and receives speeding tickets from a governmental agency - even though he was not driving that day on that particular highway. His company still pays the speeding tickets;
Case Study F: Criminal uses and assumed name in the middle of robbery. The victim stands accused of a crime they did not commit;
Smart Solutions for dealing with issues of identity theft:
The best thing a person can do is speak to an attorney who deals with identity theft. Also, http://www.ftc.gov/ also offers an identity theft affidavit that can be used to combat identity theft. This is a powerful tool. I've even seen victims use forgery affidavits and send copies of those documents to places of business and governmental authorities concerning instances of identity theft. The best thing a victim can do is speak to an attorney and get to know your rights under the laws. Because of the growing identity theft epidemic, Congress passed a very helpful law with regard to the commission of identity theft crimes: Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) for short. If you can't understand this law when you read it, if you have questions, please seek legal counsel.
Smart Solutions Financial Services, LLC has had extremely excellent results helping solve issues of identity theft as far as credit reporting and billing goes. The use of special documentation including a financial tool that requires the creditor to use a "signature match" is one of our greatest tools that is employed to fight issues of identity theft matters and with regard to Smart Solutions Credit Repair Services.
Additionally, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc, has an excellent identity theft program and for as little as $16 a month, this protection is available in case something happens. Kroll Factual Data is the organization that is responsible under the plan to restore your identity in ALL THE AREAS of identity theft - unlike most plans. As a matter of fact, this company is also one of the leading advocates for sensitive data management and, as I understand, manages classified data storage for the United States Government. For a copy of the brochure, and more information, please feel free to contact our offices.
Michael L. Hathman
VP - Smart Solutions Financial Services, LLC
http://www.smartsolutionscreditrepair.com/
info@SmartSolutionsFS.com
888-605-5181 - Toll-Free
