They Say I'm Not Me - How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

EARN $$$ HELPING DOCTORS process claims from home. $20 - $40/ hour potential. Computer & modem required. We train. (888) 736-9051 Ext. 895."

Mary responded to this ad along with about 40,000 other people. She paid 495.00 for totally useless computer software. Like the other 39,999 she was scammed. The FTC filed suit and Medicor, along with Andrew and Matthew Rubin, were ordered to repay 16.5 million to the victims. Mary still hasn't gotten her refund but she did receive an email from an FTC employee requesting personal information to be used as "evidence" in the investigation. What Mary didn't know was that the email was bogus and that she was now the victim of a scam within a scam. Using a false ID the crook opened several bank accounts in Mary's name. Mary is still receiving calls from collection agencies a year later.

Mary is fictional but Medicor and the email are not. Identity theft is becoming the most costly financial crime in the nation. Last year it is estimated that over 50,000 people had their identity stolen resulting in losses in the billions of dollars. Identity theft occurs when a crook uses your personal information to obtain credit cards, open bank accounts, buy stock, or make online purchases. Usually the consumer is not aware of the theft until they start receiving harassing and threatening phone calls from collection agencies. If this happens, repairing your credit and reputation can take years.

However there are steps that you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. Never, ever give out your social security number, mother's maiden name, bank account number, or credit card number to someone who calls you. If they are legitimate they will be glad to mail you their information giving you a chance to research their company. Minimize the number of credit cards and other personal information that you carry in your purse or wallet. Never carry your social security card. Cancel all inactive accounts. They still can be accessed and used by thieves.

Protect your computer. Install a firewall, install a firewall, install a firewall! Under no circumstances should you connect to the Internet without a firewall. Hackers are now using programs capable of scanning thousands of Internet addresses per hour. Many people are reporting as many as twenty attacks per day. Using these sophisticated programs to locate "back doors" and "Trojan Horses" a hacker can completely control a vulnerable computer. This will allow them access to your bank account and stock portfolio. Actually they won't be yours anymore. Keep one low limit credit card for Internet use. Notify the credit card company not to accept any overseas charges without your authorization. Remember that there are crooks everywhere and the Internet is no exception.

If you do become a victim of identity theft report it to your local police department and get a case number. Then download the IDTheft Affidavit at Identity Theft Affidavit

Complete this form and forward a copy to your state attorney general, the companies involved, the collection agencies and all three credit reporting companies. Addresses of these credit-reporting companies are available at
Credit Report Agencies and Addresses


It is a good idea to check your credit reports on a regular basis and each agency above will provide you a FREE copy of your current credit report once a year and extra requests for nine dollars each.

For more credit report information check out Free Credit Report

Be careful of all the advertisements and phone calls offering you a FREE CREDIT REPORT. You may be signing up for a monthly fee to a company that will only notify you if there is a problem. You are not protected with these programs. Scam artists and identity thieves prey on the unwary and you are the hunted. If there is something in the wind that doesn't smell right, run for cover.

One of the most potent weapons in the arsenal to protect your family is a new product IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE

It is affordable and good buy considering that estimates are that one out of every ten people have been or will become a victim in the next five years.

If you are interested in IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE, please fill out the following form and an associate will give you a call and explain the benefits of a policy.