There is a new bill that is being passes, it is a very weak bill but if passed, it will prohibit using a social security number for identification purposes. This bill should take affect in 2006.
If you feel you have been a victim of identity fraud, contact the Department of Justice, consumer protection division. They offer mediation with identity theft; they also have a hot line for consumers that is available 8-5 Monday ? Friday. They maintain a database of written complaints that goes back to 1998. They offer seminars to school, seniors or your group.
Be aware that 40 million crooks obtained credit card numbers this past year, "Be Suspicious". Also be aware that most identify theft is not reported, especially when it involves family members, so the statistics are off. These statistics show that consumers lost $5 billion last year when in actuality it is closer to $50 billion. There have been an estimated 9.9 million victims in America.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
www.usps.com/postalinspectors
Federal Trade Commission
www.consumer.gov.idtheft
877-IDTHEFT or TTY ? 202-326-2502
U.S. Secret Service
www.secretservice.gov
Department of Justice
www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
www.fdic.gov/consumers
Equifax
www.exuifax.com
800-525-6285
Experian
www.experian.com
888-397-3742
Trans union
www.transunion.com
800-680-7289
Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline
PO Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
800-269-0271
www.socialsecurity.gov
North American Securities Agency Administrators (NASAA)
www.nasaa.org
Better Business Bureau
www.search.bbb.org/search.html
United States Postal Service
www.usps.com
National Do Not Call Registry
www.donotcall.gov
888-382-1222
Direct marketing Association Consumer Assistance
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html Registering by mail is FREE and registering online is $5.00. To remove your name from national mailing lists by mail:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Identity Theft Resource Center
www.idtheftcenter.org
858-693-7935
International check service
800-526-5380
Telecheck
800-927-0755
Certegy Check Services
800-437-5120
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Fight Identity Theft
http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/
Michelle Dunn has over 17 years experience in credit and debt collection. She is the founder of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, is a writer, consultant and the Editorial Advisor for Eli Financial Debt Collection Compliance Alert Newsletter. Michelle started M.A.D. Collection Agency and ran is successfully for 7 years. She owns and runs Credit & Collections.com a free online community for credit and business professionals.
She has written 5 books in her Collecting Money Series and is currently writing a book for the Streetwise Series, part of the Adams Media Corporation. For more information on Michelle's services or to order any of her books please email her at michelle@michelledunn.com or visit michelle@michelledunn.com & michelle@michelledunn.com
Predatory lending exists in the mortgage industry. It's typically when... Read More
Of course, these don't have to be done in any... Read More
There have been an estimated 9.9 million victims on America... Read More
The judge had to ask the question, and we had... Read More
Doesn't it seem like the only impressive numbers we've seen... Read More
On the other hand, there are those people who are... Read More
It is crucial as an individual who is striving for... Read More
So, you've made the decision to apply for a credit... Read More
Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach... Read More
Here are some tips that can help you save money... Read More
The Prudential has dubbed those who refuse to leave home... Read More
In this age of information, keeping track of your finances... Read More
One of the simplest ways to improve your professional image... Read More
The British government at the beginning of this year officially... Read More
If you die without making a Will in the UK,... Read More
Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your... Read More
Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More
Saving money is not easy and is made more difficult... Read More
Sticking to a budget can be difficult, but with so... Read More
With a traditional Investment Retirement Account (IRA) you pay taxes... Read More
Millions of people have a checking account and many people... Read More
The recommendations for military base closings have been released and... Read More
The first step to financial success lies in knowing your... Read More
Many people graduate from college owing thousands of dollars in... Read More
As the saying goes: "Buyer Beware". If you see ads... Read More
Traditional checks probably won't disappear anytime soon, but processing checks... Read More
Commonly referred to as the first of the three major... Read More
Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be... Read More
It doesn't take much for you to get behind on... Read More
The British government at the beginning of this year officially... Read More
Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money... Read More
With prices increasing all the time, saving money can be... Read More
Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval table. Forms... Read More
The recommendations for military base closings have been released and... Read More
When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were... Read More
Would you be interested in freeing up 10% to 15%... Read More
Saving may seem easier if you were saving for a... Read More
1. Don't focus on your finances.The reason most people get... Read More
Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More
Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More
Australians, in general, constitute some of the worst savers in... Read More
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to... Read More
Now that we are in the month of June I... Read More
The gas that we fill our tanks with every week... Read More
Investing is a subject a lot of people don't want... Read More
**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too... Read More
If you have a 401(k) account, it can be very... Read More
Reducing the clothing budget was a serious challenge for me.... Read More
Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue... Read More
Developing and living by a household budget is by far... Read More
Personal Finance |