Originally published November 27 2005
Identity theft can be detected by fraud alert systems
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
TransUnion's ID Fraud-Watch system and the Equifax Credit Watch are two options in the growing market of protection systems that alert you about identity theft by closely monitoring your credit report.
According to a Federal Trade Commission survey, some 30 million people have fallen victim to identity theft in the past seven years.
This crime is quickly becoming an epidemic because it's relatively easy to get hold of other people's personal information, says Johnny May, an independent security consultant and author of Johnny May's Guide to Preventing Identity Theft: How Criminals Steal Your Personal Information, How to Prevent it, and What to Do if You Become a Victim (Security Resources Unlimited L.L.C.; $14.95).
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, date of birth, or other personal information to commit fraud.
Like a thief in the night, these crooks are lurking, watching, and waiting to make off with your valuable information.
One way to protect yourself from identity theft is through fraud alerts.
With a fraud alert, you will be informed anytime someone tries to obtain credit, insurance, or employment under your name.
"There is no charge for assisting victims," says Diane Terry, senior director of TransUnion's Fraud Victim Assistance Department.
"We add an alert to the credit card, which entails putting a red flag on your file, and notify you if there are potential changes to your account."
Similarly, Equifax has an identity theft monitoring program called Equifax Credit Watch (www.equifax.com).
Consumers can pay for the service by the month or year.
"Every time there is a change to your credit report, you get an e-mail within 24 hours, along with a phone number to call if it is something you don't recognize," says Robin Holland, senior vice president of operations at Equifax.
Although Experian (www.experian.com) does not have its own credit monitoring service, you can still place a fraud alert with the agency.
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