Protect Your Identity Week Aims to SafeGuard Consumers
If you've ever gotten a letter or phone call from someone telling you that a stranger was using your credit card number, you're familiar with the intense emotions anger, disgust, panic that ensue. What if they stole your bank numbers, your driver's license, your Social Security number? What if a thief tried to rob you of your identity?
To help educate consumers so they never have to endure that nightmare, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and Council of Better Business Bureaus are promoting Protect Your Identity Week, October 17-23, 2010.
Across the country, communities and organizations will sponsor seminars and information sessions to bring awareness of the way criminals steal identities and how citizens can best protect themselves. Many of the participating cities will provide free document shredding and credit reviews. The BBB has provided a list of participating communities, but also check your local media for events in your area.
How can identity theft affect you? According to the NFCC, when an identity thief gets enough information on you, they can (and do) open up credit card accounts in your name, electronically withdraw money from your bank account , set up utilities, get medical services once they have any personal information, the crimes are limited only by the imagination of the thief.
Think you are safe from identity theft? The website, ProtectYourIDNow.org, has a quiz that will assess what you know and whether or not you are really engaged in identity-safe practices.
- Identity Theft Protection Services Review
- Avoid Frauds While Shopping Online
- Public Wi-Fi Can Be Hacked in 5 Seconds
