Discovering And Recovering From Identify Theft

Published on: 02 April 2019 Last Updated on: 30 November 2021
Identify Theft

Identify Theft is not a big problem if you have the right gadget with you. It is a real problem that affects millions of Americans every year. And, the number of victims keeps growing. According to Javelin Strategy And Research, over 16 million cases of identity theft were reported in 2017 resulting in over $16 billion in stolen money.

Different Ways You Can Identify Theft For Your Betterment    

There are multiple ways you can identify  theft for your betterment. Make things easier for yourself to enjoy the day. Work out the plans that can help you to achieve your goals.

Identity Theft Explained:

Stated by a credit repair company in San Antonio, when your personal and sometimes sensitive information is stolen from you and then used to open accounts in your name, you become a victim of identity theft. Stolen information includes your name, social security number, credit card numbers, bank account information, and other financial data.

Your information can be taken via discarded mail, email scams, attacks on financial institution databases, or through any other company that stores a list of sensitive consumer data, for that matter.

Thieves may start off with just a couple of pieces of information about you. They use this information to access further data that are key in opening accounts in your name and racking up debt.

The Impact Of Identity Theft On Your Credit Score:

Simply put, the longer identity theft continues the more it ravages your credit. If you have not put an identity theft monitoring mechanism in place, months may pass before you realized someone has been using your identity. You may not notice until the day you apply for a loan and are surprisingly turned down. Discover the victim before you identify theft.

Identity thieves have no interest in protecting your credit. They’ll use your identity as long as they can to spend money until your score is so negatively affected no more lines of credit can be opened in your name.

This means, depending on the condition of your credit when your identity was stolen, thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt can accrue before you ever realize your identity has been stolen. Then, your score will plummet from too much debt and have to start rebuilding your credit score.

Recovering From Identity Theft:

Once you discover you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you must contact all the financial institutions affected such as credit card companies, banks, and other lenders. Report the incident with them, and they’ll help you begin the process of filing your claim and freeze all fraudulent accounts. You need to identify the theft that can work well for you.

Next, you’ll need to have new cards issued for any existing accounts you had before identity theft took its toll on your credit. Next, put a freeze on all future lending with a fraud alert. Instituting fraud alert mechanisms will tell lenders to take extra precautions before granting a new line of credit in your name for the next 90 days.

Protecting Your Credit:

The best way to ensure you don’t become a victim of identity theft is to use a credit monitoring service. These services often come as a no-cost benefit offered by many existing lenders. Credit monitoring will alert you any time there is a change in your credit score. It will also let you take a peek at your credit any time you need to check in on it.

You can also protect yourself by using unique, strong passwords at each of the financial websites you have credit lines with. Never click on emails asking for personal information from you. Shred all financial documents, and never give out passwords on the phone.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Investing In Gold Coins

What To Consider When Investing In Gold Coins

Gold has an aesthetic allure that has captivated the human heart since its discovery. It has long been used in coinage, symbolizing wealth and power for the most prestigious rulers. Gold inspires the imagination and ignites the entrepreneurial spirit in many. It is a safe and profitable investment that provides a hedge against inflation and other environmental or socio-economic disasters that threaten to drain the value of other investments. Investing in gold coins is a wise choice when the right strategy is employed. However, it isn’t as simple as just ordering coins from the first website that pops up. Investing in gold coins is about minimizing risk to make a profit by investing in precious metal through an authorized dealer and storing it in a way that preserves its value. It’s also important to understand the difference between gold bullion coins and certified gold coins, along with the best way to diversify your personal portfolio to achieve your financial goals. Careful Consideration Factors Whether you are choosing to invest in gold bullion coins or certified gold coins, there are a few factors that will always be important. To minimize risk and maximize the value of your investment, you should consider a few factors before purchasing any coin. Gold Purity In order to inspect the purity of gold, metrics like fineness or karats are considered. The gold coin having the highest gold content is the purest. Although, it is worth mentioning that while higher purity might sound better, they can be loftier and prone to damage.  Size and Weight Options Coins such as the American Gold Eagle are the most famous one-ounce coins. However, small denominations exist when you are searching for more affordable solutions in gold coin investment.  Coin Scarcity Previously, rare gold coins used to hold numismatic value more than the gold content. But, additional common coins, such as bullion coins, are easier to sell as they are widely recognized.  Overall Condition When it comes to investing in gold coins, their overall condition matters tremendously. Their condition in mint or near mint can fetch a greater price than those on the verge of getting damaged. Each of these factors directly affects the value of any coin, especially those purchased for investment purposes.  Consider these factors carefully before making a purchase. Gold Bullion Coins Gold bullion coins are great for novice buyers and beginning investors because they are easy to buy and sell. Bullion coins are a little easier to understand for those who are just getting started, and they are easily accessible. They come in a variety of weights ranging from one-tenth of an ounce to one full ounce and are usually produced with a standard matte finish. Gold bullion coins are struck only once, with the design being pressed into the front and back of the coin. The price of gold bullion coins typically follows the spot price of gold in the market, making them fantastic for a short-term holding strategy. One of the most popular gold bullion coins is the gold American Eagle coins which are sought after globally. Bullion coins continue to exist in multiple forms and have served as a key type of currency in the history of investment. Investors opt for bullion coins as a protection against inflation. Such investors often show their concern that this fiat currency system is adequate in preventing unauthorized government practices.  Certified Gold Coins Certified gold coins are evaluated and graded by a third-party service such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), which considers the coins’ condition and scarcity. The higher the grade a coin is given, the better condition it is in and the pricier it is. A certified coin’s rarity also contributes to its value in the marketplace. Many certified gold coins are proof coins meaning they have been struck multiple times. Most certified gold coins have been through a specific minting process which lends to their richly detailed design and mirror finish. They are sealed in tamper-resistant cases to protect their condition, which is closely related to their value. Certified gold coins are insulated from spot price volatility in the market, making them a fantastic long-term investment. Their rarity and grading process allows them to achieve a higher value over time than their bullion counterparts. It is important to note that collectors are sometimes willing to pay a premium for specific coins they wish to have to complete a collection. While this is sometimes true of investors, it is not as common. Certified coins often fetch a premium in the marketplace due to their rarity and physical condition. That premium tends to outpace the face value of the coin as well as the spot price of gold in the market. Best Investment Strategy Investing in gold coins is a wise choice if you diversify properly and purchase from a reputable trustworthy precious metals dealer. The best strategy is to diversify your investment portfolio with a combination of gold bullion coins and certified gold coins that position your portfolio to provide stable returns over time. Balancing your portfolio with stable investments that can withstand market volatility will give you the peace of mind and security you crave. A healthy combination of gold bullion coins and certified gold coins is the best option to ensure your investment provides a thriving return. Contact a reputable dealer today to purchase your gold bullion and certified coins to begin balanced investing in gold coins. Final Words Gold coins are a worthy form of investment, and they are easily available in both offline and online stores. If you are willing to buy a gold coin, make sure you consider the aforementioned factors. Check whether the rate of the gold coin is justified as per its size and availability.  If you follow these steps, nothing can stop you from getting the most valuable gold coins. With this, we bring an end to this comprehensive guide. But don’t forget to bring home premium gold coins and start investing now! Read Also: Is Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service A Good Career Path In 2021? 5 Reasons Why Bitcoins Are Considered Reliable Investments 5 New Assets To Diversify Your Investments In 2021  

READ MOREDetails
Best Exchange Rates

How to Find the Best Exchange Rates

Traveling or trading with foreign currencies require additional fees, which often include surcharges for credit cards, commissions, fees for ATM, and others. Whether you are travelling to a new country for a vacation or considering expanding your currency portfolio, it’s no surprise that financial institutions are looking for ways to increase their profit in the long run. After all, each of them is technically running a business. If you are looking for a way to add more value to your money, there are ways on how you can find the best exchange rates almost effortlessly. Here are some tips to remember: 1. Research the Exchange Rate Beforehand: Exchange rates differ from country to country. There are countless online currency converters available, many of which come from reliable sources that are derived straight from the Forex market. If you are purchasing cash online via a mobile application, you may notice some additional charges that come with the conversion. To get the most of your money, consider searching for various cash apps with affordable transaction fees and compare them with each other before ultimately deciding which works best for you. 2. Plan ahead: For travelers who are visiting another foreign country, one of the best things you can do while preparing for the trip is to plan how much money you are going to need. After that, you can purchase your foreign currency ahead of time online instead of the last minute which usually requires costly delivery rates. Purchasing ahead also gives you a chance to see whether or not your payment has come through and allows the business the chance to confirm your identity. Purchasing currency online also saves time spent standing in lines and can be done as quickly as possible. 3. Use Credit and ATM Cards: ATMs abroad usually provide the best exchange rates when it comes to purchasing foreign currency which are usually 2-7% better compared to exchanging cash or traveler’s checks. During travel, it’s best to avoid using money exchange kiosks in public transportation areas and tourist spots. 4. Exchange Cash and Traveler's Checks: For people who may not want to use their cards for small purchases, exchanging cash and traveler’s checks is another way to find good exchange rates. However, be wary of exchanging them in tourist-filled areas like airports and train stations. Consider checking in banks and post offices. To get a proper exchange rate, read the postage rates very carefully and ask for the net rate that comes after commissions. It’s important to remember that commissions work in two ways: The commission that takes per percentage. The commission that is charged per item and transaction. To lure tourists, certain money changes that are not at banks or post offices will post the sell rate for the currency rather than the buy rate, which means you might be buying more than what you intend to spend. These money changers may also offer great rates exclusively for traveler’s checks or very large sums of money which can be dangerous to hand carry around. As an added precaution, be wary of exchanges in the black market which often include scams and counterfeit currency. 5. Watch out for hidden charges: Some companies may offer deals that advertise how much money you can save if you choose a specific delivery option, which actually includes extra hidden charges. To be safe, find out how much you are paying in total and exactly how much currency you will receive, changes with great exchange rates can be negated by commissions and handling fees. 6. Read the fine print: There are various apps and sites out there advertising the fact that they do not include transaction fees, delivery fees, and commissions. While this is very tempting, the last thing you want to do is to purchase a large sum of currencies only to realize that there are certain limitations and deductions. As much as possible read the fine print in the site’s terms of use. You can also call the company and ask some questions they may not address in their website. Conclusion: Dealing with foreign currency doesn’t have to be a hassle. As a currency trader or a traveller, one of the most important things you can do is actively research on a reliable business that stays close to the exchange rate without adding in extra hidden charges. While it may be time-consuming at first, learning to add value to your purchases is simply an investment you can’t avoid. Read Also: The Glitches Arrived In Travelling To New Place Tips To Help You Learn A New Language In A New Country

READ MOREDetails
home improvement loans

Home Sweet Home Improvement: How to Find the Best Home Improvement Loans

It's estimated that in 2018, Americans spent nearly $340 billion on home remodeling projects. Home improvement loans are one of the best ways to sort out the problem of home renovation. If you're planning to make some changes to your home, you may find that a home improvement loan is the only way you can get the job done. But finding a home improvement loans isn't easy, and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out how you can find the right loan, at the right price. Below you'll discover how you can find the best home improvement loans for your renovation project. Read on, and you'll discover how you can give your home a fresh look, without having to wreak havoc on your finances. Decide What You Want to Use the Loan For: Before taking out the loan, it's a good idea to think about how you're going to spend the money associated with the loan. In doing so, it becomes easy to work out how much you'll need to borrow. This then prevents you from over-borrowing and ending up with more debt than necessary. Now, if you don't know how much a particular home improvement project is going to cost, it's probably worth speaking to some contractors. If you can provide these contractors with an accurate representation of what you want to achieve, they should be able to give you a quote. If you can, try to speak to more than one contractor. This'll help develop a realistic average of what the project is going to cost. How Can You Fund the Home Improvement Project? There's more than one financial 'instrument' you can use to fund your home improvement project. For instance, there's the typical route of obtaining a home improvement loan. Now, home improvement loans can often sound like a good idea, but you'll find that such loans aren't always the best option. This often comes down to the fact home improvement loans tend to be unsecured, and this makes them a risky bet for lenders. This risk can also mean that the interest rates are going to be high. On top of this, you'll find lenders will offer relatively short repayment periods associated with these loans. The other option is to go for a personal loan. Again, this kind of loan is unsecured, and this can make such loans pricey. But, if you have good credit and a steady income, lenders might be willing to offer you a personal loan at a reasonable rate. One of the good things about a personal loan is that you may have a favorable payment term that gives you plenty of time to pay the money back. If you'd like to learn how you can find the best personal loans, check this out. There's also the option of funding your project using a credit card. Now, for many people, this should be considered as a last resort. This is because the interest rates on a credit card can be very high. But if you can find a credit card that offers 0% APR, this might be a worthwhile option. Speak to Many Lenders: Once you have a decent sense of how much the project is going to cost you, it's the time to approach some lenders. It's worth noting that some lenders will have different requirements to others. Often, you'll have to fill out an application, and the information you provide will determine whether you receive the loan. If you find your application is successful, you may have to approach another lender. You may also need to think about funding your project, using a different strategy. Manage Your Project Carefully: Once you receive your funds and begin remodeling, it's vital you manage your project carefully so that it doesn't go over budget. If this happens, you'll need to lend more money, and this can increase your debt burden. At the very least you need to keep a close eye on the contractors and ask them about their progress daily. Ask them to provide you with projected deadlines, and then check in with them to ensure they're going to meet these deadlines. It's essential you do this, as contractors often charge you a daily rate. If the project goes over schedule, you may end up needing to spend more than you budgeted for. Can You Reduce the Price of the Project? Before the project begins, you might want to ask your contractors if there's anything you can do to help lower the cost of the project. If you take certain cost-cutting measures, you may find that you don't need to use the entire loan. This then means you can repay the loan faster, thereby reducing the amount of money you spend on interest payments. Taking this step is important, as it can reduce the stress associated with having to find the 'perfect' home improvement loan. For instance, the contractors might say that things will work out cheaper if you source the materials needed for the project. You can then ask them what they need, and you can go to your local hardware store and order these items. You might also want to ask the contractor if there are any simple tasks that you can help them with. So, if you're looking to renovate a bedroom, there may be some closets that are 'built into' the room, of which you no longer want. If you take the time to remove these closets, the contractor doesn't need to spend their time on this task. This then lowers the amount of money they'll charge you as their workload is now reduced. Do You Know How to Find the Best Home Improvement Loans?  If you want to give your home a fresh look, home improvement loans can help you get the job done, without having to spend all your savings. That said, you want to make sure you do everything you can to limit the amount of money you actually need to borrow. You also want to make sure you speak to a broad range of lenders so that you can find an affordably priced loan. Yes, it can be scary to borrow money for a home improvement project. But if you follow the tips in this post, you should be able to minimize your stress levels. Thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Check out this post to learn about the best countertops you can use. Read Also: Lining Up For A Loan – How To Secure A Good Loan 7 Tips To Increase The Value Of Your Home Best Home Buying Tips For First Time Buyers Invest Real Estate In Detroit: 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Investment

READ MOREDetails