IDENTITY THEFT
HOW TO PROTECT AND DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT?    -----DETER, DETECT AND DEFEND?
DETER ID THEFT CAN MINIMIZE YOUR RISK

While nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim of identity theft, you can minimize your risk, and
minimize the damage if a problem develops, by making it more difficult for identity thieves to access your
personal information.

Protect your Social Security number
Treat your trash and mail carefully
Be on guard when using the Internet
Select intricate passwords
Verify sources before sharing information
Safeguard your purse and wallet
Store information in secure locations
What is a credit freeze?
About identity theft insurance

Protect your Social Security number

Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give your
Social Security number only when absolutely necessary, and ask to use other types of identifiers. If your state
uses your Social Security number as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another number. Do the
same if your health insurance company uses your Social Security number as your policy number.

Your employer and financial institutions will need your Social Security number for wage and tax reporting
purposes. Other businesses may ask you for your Social Security number to do a credit check if you are
applying for a loan, renting an apartment, or signing up for utilities. Sometimes, however, they simply want
your Social Security number for general record keeping. If someone asks for your Social Security number, ask:

Why do you need my Social Security number?
How will my Social Security number be used?
How do you protect my Social Security number from being stolen?
What will happen if I don't give you my Social Security number?
If you don't provide your Social Security number, some businesses may not provide you with the service or
benefit you want. Getting satisfactory answers to these questions will help you decide whether you want to
share your Social Security number with the business. The decision to share is yours.



Treat your trash and mail carefully

To thwart an identity thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal
information, always shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician
statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get
in the mail.

To opt out of receiving prescreened offers of credit in the mail, call: 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
Note: You will be asked to provide your Social Security number which the consumer reporting companies
need to match you with your file.

Deposit your outgoing mail containing personally identifying information in post office collection boxes or at
your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you're
planning to be away from home and can't pick up your mail, contact the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-
8777 or online at www.usps.gov, to request a vacation hold. The Postal Service will hold your mail at your
local post office until you can pick it up or are home to receive it.


Be on guard when using the Internet

The Internet can give you access to information, entertainment, financial offers, and countless other services
but at the same time, it can leave you vulnerable to online scammers, identity thieves and more. For practical
tips to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal
information, visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov.



Select intricate passwords

Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like
your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone
number, a series of consecutive numbers, or a single word that would appear in a dictionary. Combinations of
letters, numbers, and special characters make the strongest passwords.  When opening new accounts, you may
find that many businesses still ask for your mother's maiden name. Find out if you can use a password instead.


Verify a source before sharing information

Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you've initiated
the contact and are sure you know who you're dealing with. Identity thieves are clever, and may pose as
representatives of banks, Internet service providers (ISPs), and even government agencies to get people to
reveal their Social Security number, mother's maiden name, account numbers, and other identifying
information.

Before you share any personal information, confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate organization. Check
an organization's website by typing its URL in the address line, rather than cutting and pasting it. Many
companies post scam alerts when their name is used improperly. Or call customer service using the number
listed on your account statement or in the telephone book.


Safeguard your purse and wallet

Protect your purse and wallet at all times. Don't carry your Social Security number or card; leave it in a secure
place. Carry only the identification information and the credit and debit cards that you'll actually need when
you go out.



Store information in secure locations

Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside
help, or are having work done in your house. Share your personal information only with those family members
who have a legitimate need for it. Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work; do the same with copies of
administrative forms that have your sensitive personal information.  

Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's offices or other
institutions that collect your personally identifying information. Find out who has access to your personal
information and verify that it is handled securely. Ask about the disposal procedures for those records as well.
Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else. If so, ask how your information can be kept
confidential.



What is a credit freeze?

Many states have laws that let consumers “freeze” their credit – in other words, letting a consumer restrict
access to his or her credit report. If you place a credit freeze, potential creditors and other third parties will not
be able to get access to your credit report unless you temporarily lift the freeze.  This means that it’s unlikely
that an identity thief would be able to open a new account in your name.  Placing a credit freeze does not
affect your credit score – nor does it keep you from getting your free annual credit report, or from buying your
credit report or score.

Credit freeze laws vary from state to state.  In some states, anyone can freeze their credit file, while in other
states, only identity theft victims can.  The cost of placing, temporarily lifting, and removing a credit freeze
also varies.  Many states make credit freezes free for identity theft victims, while other consumers pay a fee –
typically $10.  It’s also important to know that these costs are for each of the credit reporting agencies.  If you
want to freeze your credit, it would mean placing the freeze with each of three credit reporting agencies, and
paying the fee to each one.  

You can find more information about credit freeze laws specific to your state by clicking here, including
information on how to place one.  

Who can access my credit report if I place a credit freeze?

If you place a credit freeze, you will continue to have access to your free annual credit report.  You’ll also be
able to buy your credit report and credit score even after placing a credit freeze.  Companies that you do
business with will still have access to your credit report – for example, your mortgage, credit card, or cell
phone company – as would collection agencies that are working for one of those companies.  Companies will
also still be able to offer you prescreened credit.  Those are the credit offers you receive in the mail that you
have not applied for.  Additionally, in some states, potential employers, insurance companies, landlords, and
other non-creditors can still get access to your credit report with a credit freeze in place.      

Can I temporarily lift my credit freeze if I need to let someone check my credit report?

If you want to apply for a loan or credit card, or otherwise need to give someone access to your credit report
and that person is not covered by an exception to the credit freeze law, you would need to temporarily lift the
credit freeze.  You would do that by using a PIN that each credit reporting agency would send once you
placed the credit freeze.  In most states, you’d have to pay a fee to lift the credit freeze.  Most states currently
give the credit reporting agencies three days to lift the credit freeze.  This might keep you from getting “instant”
credit, which may be something to weigh when considering a credit freeze.  
DETECT IDENTITY THEFT

The best way to detect identity theft is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each
month, and check your credit report on a regular basis.

What are the signs of identity theft?

Stay alert for the signs of identity theft, like:

accounts you didn't open and debts on your accounts that you can't explain.
fraudulent or inaccurate information on your credit reports, including accounts and personal
information, like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers.
failing to receive bills or other mail. Follow up with creditors if your bills don't arrive on time. A
missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing
address to cover his tracks.
receiving credit cards that you didn't apply for.
being denied credit, or being offered less favorable credit terms, like a high interest rate, for no
apparent reason.
getting calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you
didn't buy.
back to top

How do you find out if your identity was stolen?

Unfortunately, many consumers learn they their identity has been stolen after some damage
has been done.

You may find out when bill collection agencies contact you for overdue debts debts you never
incurred.
You may find out when you apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn that problems with your
credit history are holding up the loan.
You may find out when you get something in the mail about an apartment you never rented, a
house you never bought, or a job you never held.
back to top

What personal information should I monitor regularly?

Early detection of a potential identity theft can make a big difference. Keep an eye out for any
suspicious activity by routinely monitoring:

Your financial statements. Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements regularly,
looking closely for charges you did not make.

Your credit reports. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you
have and how you pay your bills. The law requires each of the major nationwide consumer
reporting agencies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once
every 12 months. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these accounts
are likely to show up on your credit report. To find out, order a copy of your credit reports.

Once you get your reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you
haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't
explain. Check that information, like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials,
and employers are correct. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it removed.
See Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports to learn how. Continue to check your
credit reports periodically, especially for the first year after you discover the identity theft, to
make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.



How do I get my free annual credit reports?

An amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the major nationwide
consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your
request, once every 12 months.

To order your free annual report from one or all the national consumer reporting companies,
visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll-free 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit
Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can print the form from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three
nationwide consumer reporting companies individually; they provide free annual credit reports
only through www.annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request
Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Under federal law, you're also entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action
against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you
request your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you
the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company that supplied the
information about you. You're also entitled to one free report a year if you're unemployed and
plan to look for a job within 60 days; you're on welfare; or your report is inaccurate because of
fraud. Otherwise, a consumer reporting company may charge you up to $9.50 for any other
copies of your report.

To buy a copy of your report, contact:

Equifax: 800-685-1111; www.equifax.com

Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742); www.experian.com

TransUnion: 800-916-8800; www.transunion.com



Should I use a credit monitoring service?

There are a variety of commercial services that, for a fee, will monitor your credit reports for
activity and alert you to changes to your accounts. Prices and services vary widely. Many of
the services only monitor one of the three major consumer reporting companies. If you're
considering signing up for a service, make sure you understand what you're getting before you
buy. Also check out the company with your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection
agency and state Attorney General to see if they have any complaints on file
What’s the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?

A fraud alert is another tool for people who’ve had their ID stolen – or who suspect it may have
been stolen.  With a fraud alert in place, businesses may still check your credit report.  
Depending on whether you place an initial 90-day fraud alert or an extended fraud alert,
potential creditors must either contact you or use what the law refers to as “reasonable policies
and procedures” to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name.  However, the steps
potential creditors take to verify your identity may not always alert them that the applicant is
not you.  

A credit freeze, on the other hand, will prevent potential creditors and other third parties from
accessing your credit report at all, unless you lift the freeze or already have a relationship with
the company.  Some consumers use credit freezes because they feel they give more
protection.  As with credit freezes, fraud alerts are mainly effective against new credit accounts
being opened in your name, but will likely not stop thieves from using your existing accounts,
or opening new accounts such as new telephone or wireless accounts, where credit is often not
checked.  Also, only people who’ve had their ID stolen – or who suspect it may have been
stolen, may place fraud alerts.  In some states, anyone can place a credit freeze.  

About identity theft insurance

Although identity theft insurance won't deter identity thieves, it can, in certain circumstances,
minimize losses if an identity theft occurs. As with any product or service, as you consider
whether to buy, be sure you understand what you'd be getting. Things to consider include: (1)
the amount of coverage the policy provides; (2) whether it covers any lost wages (and, if so,
whether there's a cap on the wages you can claim, or a separate deductible); (3) the amount of
the deductible; (4) what might be excluded (for example, if the thief is a family member or if
the thief made electronic withdrawals and transfers); (5) whether the policy provides a personal
counselor to help you resolve the problems of identity theft; and (6) whether your existing
homeowner's policy already contains some coverage. Be aware that one of the major "costs" of
identity theft is the time you will spend to clear your name. Also be aware that many
companies and law enforcement officers will only deal with you (as opposed to an insurance
company representative). So, even if your policy provides you with a personal counselor, that
counselor can often only guide you, as opposed to doing the work to clear your name. And, as
you evaluate insurance products and services, you may also consider checking out the insurer
with your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency and state Attorney
General.
HOME BUYING
Even if housing prices don't continue to increase at the
torrid pace seen in recent years in many areas, buying a
home can be a good financial investment. Making mortgage
payments forces you to save, and after 15 to 30 years you
will own a substantial asset that can be converted into cash
to help fund retirement or a child's education. There are also
tax benefits.


FINDING A BROKER
If you are a first-time home buyer, you will probably want to
work with a broker. Brokers know the market and can be a
valuable source of information concerning the home buying
process.
AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL IS READY TO HELP YOU.
CALL Mr. ANTONY AT: 786-709-6577 --South Florida
REAL ESTATE FINANCING & HOME REFINANCING

We’re here to turn traditional renters into
property owners and landlords.

We’ve great desire to help people find the right
mortgage loan at the lowest rate possible.
----------------------------------------------
We take the time to analyze every individual  
situation and needs to find the best mortgage
loan.

Whether you’re a first time home buyer or an
experience buyer, we work hard  to find you the
home loan you desired.
VISION MORTGAGE BANK, INC. CALL US:786-709-
6577
DREAMING
If you ever dreamed of owning your own home, or
another home, or an investment property.  Let us
help you make it a reality. CALL US...
---------------------------------------------------------
We can find you any property you desire; a house,
a condo, a town home, a waterfront property for a
great price below market value. CALL US...
---------------------------------------------------------
If you currently own a home, but you have  
intention of selling it. Let us sell your home Fast &
quick for the top price. CALL US...

Do you want to make a short sale, or do you have
any questions regarding foreclosure!    CALL
US...786-709-6577---- SOUTH FLORIDA
TO BUY A PROPERTY,                             TO FINANCE
TO SELL A PROPERTY,                           TO REFINANCE
TO LEASE A PROPERTY,                        TO CASH-OUT HOME EQUITY
TO MAKE A SHORT SALE                         CALL VISION MORTGAGE AT:
                                                 786-709-6577
CALL Mr. ANTONY AT: 786-709-6577- SOUTH FLORIDA
YOU NEED TO BUY
OR
LEASE A PROPERTY

IN SOUTH FL.

PLEASE
CONTACT US...

COMMERCIAL,

RESIDENTIAL, OR

MOBIL HOME

FINANCIAL HELP IS
AVAILABLE!

FREE CREDIT
REPAIR HELP FOR
PROSPECT!
YOU’VE PROPERTY FOR SALE?

CONTACT US

COMMERCIAL,  RESIDENTIAL, OR
MOBIL HOME

WE’LL BUY IT FROM YOU
OR
WE’LL SELL IT FOR YOU;

FAST, QUICK & FOR THE TOP
PRICE!

SOUTH FLORIDA
PLEASE CONTACT US…
Your name:
Your email address:
Your phone number:
Comments:
A licensed professional Realtor from Fortune international