In today's HIGH TECH world, identity theft is on the rise at an alarming rate. All of us must be very careful how we put out our personal information whether in person or online. If you think it will not happen to you, think again. I know because someone tried using one of my credit cards in Europe, that's right, EUROPE. I had the knowledge to block any transactions on my credit cards that takes place outside the United States. I also carry Fraud Protection on my credit cards. Someone tried charging five cents, that's right five cents, to see if it would be an active transaction. The transaction was halted and the bank called me within one minute to see if I was the one making the charge. All credit card companies have fraud protection. It costs about $6.95 per month. In my case, it was well worth it. Who knows how many transactions or amounts would have been completed. The following are some things you should do.

 

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports:

   TransUnion: www.transunion.com

   Equifax: www.equifax.com

   Experian: www.experian.com

2. Review your credit reports from each agency (about once every year).

3. Close the tampered accounts.

4. File a complaint with the FTC

          Call:          1-877-438-4338

         Or write:    Identity Theft Clearinghouse

                            600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

                            Washington, DC 20580

5. File a police report.