Identity thieves have redoubled their efforts lately, leading to more theft reports than ever. Spot identity theft early to limit its effects on your life.
Key Points:
Identity theft is not something a credit card user can afford to take lightly. If you think it can’t happen to you, you are wrong. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is now more prevalent than ever.
In 2020, consumers reported nearly 1.4 million cases of identity theft. The number of such incidents doubled from 2019, resulting in billions of dollars of damage.
Perhaps the worst thing about credit card fraud resulting from identity theft is that victims only notice it once it has caused considerable damage. The key to effective identity theft damage control is to notice the problem early and act as quickly as possible.
Depending on how the theft of your personal information occurs and how much data the thieves steal, the effects of the resulting fraud will show up in different ways. Checking your credit report frequently is a good way to spot identity theft early.
Regardless of how the thieves make their moves, they will impact your credit history somehow. Here’s a list of symptoms potentially indicating that fraudsters have stolen your identity.
If you notice any such suspicious activity, contact your creditors immediately and dispute fraudulent transactions. The law protects you, capping your liability for such transactions at $50. To make sure the impact of identity theft on your life is limited and short-lived, contact your credit card issuer as soon as possible.
Never ignore any errors or signs of suspicious activity in your credit reports. Address everything as soon as you notice it.
Identity thieves can strike in a variety of ways. Knowing how these fraudsters operate can help you limit your exposure.
Although you can never fully insulate yourself from identity theft, you can take measures to reduce your exposure.
You are vulnerable to identity theft unless you take preventative steps. Always examine your credit reports carefully and never let anything suspicious slip. When seeking credit card debt relief, do your research and reach out for help only to reputable companies.
With a 9 out of 10 client satisfaction score, ClearOne Advantage is a leader in the debt-relief industry. As an accredited member of the Consumer Debt Relief Initiative (CDRI), we work with clients every step of the way on their journey to freedom from debt.
Contact a ClearOne Certified Debt specialist at 866-481-1597 to discuss the credit card debt relief options available to you and get a free savings estimate.
The data and statistics referenced come from multiple credible resources that are cited throughout. ClearOne makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of the information from these various resources and is solely providing the content for informational purposes only.