Identity Theft
I ran across this article from a New York Post writer who tore up a credit card application, taped it back together, mailed it to American Express and GOT APPROVED. OMG! I am shocked and outraged. Yes, I do own a paper shredder. Trust, I put it to good use. The article convinces me that everyone should own and use a paper shredder. I write this blog because I believe in being financially fit. Sometimes it’s not just about cutting expenses. You have to go the extra mile to protect your finances/credit score. What’s the point of having money in the bank if you can’t protect it?
Do you use a paper shredder for financial documents? How do you protect your finances? What do you do with your credit card applications that come in the mail?
P.S. I posted this on Sunday night to carry us through Monday. I’m traveling all day Monday, so I posted a little early.
11 Responses to Identity Theft
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I received a call from a company demanding payment for a cell phone bill that had gone into collections. I thought the woman has lost her mind I would never allow a bill of mine to go into collections. To top it all off I had never done business with that telephone company – EVER. So I just knew it had to be a mistake, oh but no there was no mistake I soon learned that I was the victim of identity theft. Everything was cleared up under my name but I felt so violated. Yes, I want revenge so I do have an address that I was able to track down and I will be sharing it with the police….yes I will. Anywho when I receive credit card applications I don’t use the shredder anymore but I need to go back to that process. I always try to be so careful with my personal information but I guess I wasn’t careful enough. Oh and make sure you request your credit reports, you can get it for free. This way you can see if someone is riding on your good credit. Imagine if this clown had continued to pay the bill I would have never known.
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Burn baby, burn! I burn all sensitive info in the fireplace. Of course it’s summer now, but my parents live in a nearby rural area and they frequently burn things anyway so I toss my sensitive information on the pile and watch it completely disappear. I have a shredder, but I like the safety of knowing the items is GONE and can not be reproduced in anyway. A little extreme, but it doesn’t cost me anything extra and its no hassle.
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Okay, I don’t burn my stuff. Although, that might actually be a good idea. I do use a shredder, but I have been guilty of being lazy and just ripping something up and putting in the trash.
One thing that is very valuable to me though is the identity theft guard they have at Bank of America. For $12.95 a month, they will monitor your credit file for you and if something does happen or there’s an inquiry into your file, they notify you by e-mail and by phone.
They also work with you to clear the entire mess up if you’ve been a victim of identity theft. I feel that’s better than have nothing out there to protect me except a shredder.
Like the Frugalista said, shredded papers can always be taped back together…..
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PJD-Dang. I can’t believe that happened to you. Go right to the police! I’m glad you got it cleared up.
Tameika-Girl, you are not playing. I promise not to get you mad.
CoolChick-Sounds like a plan!
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They pile up in my apt. When I finally get around to tossing them with all my other junk, the common criminal is too lazy to sort through the mess.
I’m too thrifty to pay a monthly fee. I check my credit reports bi-annually ($24 for all 3 if you sign up for the service and cancel it after you get your info)
I haven’t had a problem so far (ya’ll stay out my trash!) except for that time someone got a calling card in my name and ran up $1200 in calls to Senegal. No reputable company will hold you responsible and the less than reputable probably won’t report you…I’m hoping.
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I tear mine up, focusing on the parts where you have to fill out. Half goes in the trash, the other half down the garbage disposal.
When I am at my mother’s house, I burn it because we live in the country and she has a huge fire place.
Also my credit card (that I am diligently paying off) monitors my credit from all three.
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I make sure to shred all junk mail that I get. I blogged about this same article a few weeks ago. It is crazy and it makes American Express appear desperate for new account holders.
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All you’ve got to do is shred everything with personal or account information on it. It may seem like a waste of time, but better safe than sorry.
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Identity thieves couldn’t use my credit cards if they wanted to — they are all maxed out.
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As we observed identity thefts are very common nowadays. I think the best thing that we should do to protect our credit cards and other financial accounts is to shred all those things but I agree with the previous comments, you will spend a lot of time doing it or in other words it’s a waste of time to others but at least you are safe from identity thefts. http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/
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Identity theft has brought great tensions to the corporate world causing many companieslosses each year. Everyone is scared of their personal information not leaked out tosome strangers. Not only offices but individuals at home should also purchase onefor safety.
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