ID Theft Prevention Special Notice for Extended Duty Military

Identity thieves unfortunately prey on would be
victims who are mostly pre-occupied
meeting the challenges of everyday life.

The elderly, the sick, and the millions of Americans
who're "just to busy making ends meet" have become
targets of opportunity for identity theft. Id Theft
Secrets blog read an article just the other day how
U.S. service personnel serving our country have been
victimized lately at an alarming rate.

Imagine, you're far from home protecting this nation,
doing your duty, and the notices start to arrive from
bill collectors - for credit cards you know you -or-
your spouse never generated.

Upon further investigation,you find out an identity
thief has struck and used your good name and credit
reputation to commit fraud in your name by opening up
new accounts - even in some cases getting medical
payments.

So, our quick tip for any of those Americans serving
in the armed services far from home, here's today's
tip courtesy of the FTC.

"If you are a member of the military and away from
your usual duty station, you may place an active duty
alert on your credit reports to help minimize the risk
of identity theft while you are deployed. Active duty
alerts are in effect on your report for one year. If
your deployment lasts longer, you can place another
alert on your credit report.
When you place an active duty alert, you'll be removed
from the credit reporting companies' marketing list
for pre-screened credit card offers for two years
unless you ask to go back on the list before then."

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box
740241, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com;
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud
Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton,
CA 92834-6790

"Contact only one of the three companies to place an alert the company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, as well. In addition to placing the alert on your credit report, the consumer reporting company also must provide you with a copy of your credit score. If your contact information changes before your alert expires, remember to update it.

When you place an active duty alert, your name will be removed from the nationwide consumer reporting companies’ marketing lists for prescreened offers of credit and insurance for two years unless you ask that your name be placed on the lists before then. Prescreened, offers sometimes called 'pre-approved' offers, are based on information in your credit report that indicates you meet certain criteria set by the offeror. "

If you know of any loved ones on extended deployment, please share this vital information with them so they may minimize or prevent the impact of identity theft.

Check back with ID Theft Secrets as we will uncover a virtually unknown personal information repository that is the largest medical information data provider to the insurance industry.