Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the US. An estimated 9 million Americans are victim to having their identities stolen each year! That is 7% of America! In the past 6 years identity thieves have stolen over $107 billion dollars!
Different Types of Identity Theft
Social Security theft– This is where your social security is compromised and theft is able to forge fraudulent documents like passports, driver’s license, and credit cards.
Child identity theft– Stealing our children’s identification to take out loans, use their information to get credit cards, use information to put on driver license, etc..
Insurance identity theft– Using your insurance information to receive medical treatment.
Financial identity theft– Using your credit cards and account information to pay for items.
Criminal identity theft– Committing crimes under your name.
Synthetic identity theft– Using fake information such as social security numbers, addresses, and birth dates creating a new identity.
This is just a few forms of identity theft! Unfortunately, the number of thefts is on the rise. It takes an average of 6-18 months to clear identity theft on your record and close to 200 hours of work. You have to keep up with making phone calls, written correspondence, keeping track of creditors, responding to letters, and working with credit bureaus and law enforcement.
This information can be overwhelming and scary, but there are ways to prevent this from happening to you.
Be sure to secure your social security number.
Delete all old emails that contain any important information.
Collect your mail every day, and SHRED it!
If in a business, be sure to dispose important information in a locked shred box and not the normal blue recycle trash can.
SHRED all your receipts, expired credit cards, tax reports, and any paper work that has any of your information on it.
SHRED your hard drives!
Royal Shredding would love to help keep your identity YOURS. We can shred all your important documents with-in seconds. Please call today to get an estimate! The peace of mind is priceless.