Mike's Safety Belt
~~Mike Baynes, MikesWhatsNews

Identity Theft, Part 2

<<click here to read Part 1>>

After researching my last article, I discovered a huge mistake that is often taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals who are setting up false identities.

I'm talking about the posting of genealogy files.  These files typically contain all the data required to identify an individual.

• date of birth
• place of birth
• name
• mothers maiden name.

It does not take a lot of imagination to see how this information could be misused.

If you are tempted to post your genealogy files to the web, consider offering you information as "available on request".  That would allow you some degree of control over who gets the information.

To reduce the volume of 'pre-approved' credit notices you receive, consider having your name removed from the marketing lists of the three credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.

CSC CREDIT SERVICES (Equifax)
P.O. BOX 674402
Houston, TX 77267-4402
or http://www.equifax.com
1-888-5OPT-OUT
(888-567-8688)

EXPERIAN (formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
or http://www.experian.com
1-888-5OPT-OUT
(888-567-8688)

TRANS UNION
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064
or http://www.tuc.com

Take a moment to consider your credit cards.  Make a request in writing to be removed from their promotional lists.

To remove your name and home address from national mailing lists (USA), write to;

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

To remove your name and phone number from telephone solicitation, write to;

Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

resource:
http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis3english.htm
Identity Theft Victim Checklist
CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET 3
This checklist can help identity theft victims to clear up their records. It lists the actions most identity theft victims should take to limit the damage done by the thief. Use the contact logs at the end of the checklist to keep a record of all your contacts with credit bureaus, creditors and others. Keep copies of all the letters you send and receive.

But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.
 - Shakespeare, Othello, Act III, Scene 3

Mike Baynes is the editor of MikesWhatsNews .  To subscribe, send a blank email to mikeswhatsnews-request@freelists.org?Subject=subscribe

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