techDaily.info :: Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Posted: 8/14/2002

Posted By:	Manning, Selvage & Lee		Contact:	Lindsay Pettit
Phone:	404-870-6854		Email:	lindsay.pettit@mslpr.com

Check credit reports often
Protect yourself against identity theft

WEST PALM BEACH – Aug. 14, 2002 – Checking your credit report regularly can help protect against identity theft – and it’s a low-cost way to keep up-to-date on your financial picture.

“We recommend consumers get copies of their credit reports at least once a year,” says Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast. “The cost is minimal and it is important for you to see what is on your reports.”

If you see an account you didn’t open or an address change you did not initiate on any of your reports, contact all three credit bureaus immediately. It may be that someone is using your name or accounts without your knowledge. The information on your credit report affects your ability to get a loan or any kind of credit. It may also affect your ability to get a job or rent a house or apartment as employers and landlords often want to see how you handle credit.

It is important to check all three bureaus as each reports your accounts differently: Each credit bureau has helpful information on its Website and you may order there or by phone.

Here is the contact information for each of the three major bureaus:
· Equifax at 800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
· Experian at 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
· TransUnion at 800-888-4213 or www.transunion.com.

While you are looking over your credit reports, you may also want to check your credit scores. Your score is one of the first things lenders look at when you apply for a credit card, car loan or mortgage. It is based on your payment history, debt load, credit history, recent credit applications and type of accounts. Each bureau has a different system for scores.

TransUnion provides your score free with your credit report. Equifax uses Fair Isaac & Co. (FICO) scores, which are available for a fee online at www.equifax.com or www.myfico.com. Experian also has a scoring system.
If your credit is not as good as you would like, or you need help understanding your reports or scores, contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service for a free budget counseling session.

CCCS is available around the clock at 800-330-CCCS (2227) or on the Web at www.cccsinc.org. CCCS also offers appointments at offices throughout Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast. A certified counselor at CCCS can analyze your financial situation and make recommendations.

A United Way partner, CCCS is a nonprofit, community service agency that provides educational seminars, free budget and housing counseling and debt management assistance to consumers. CCCS is headquartered in the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Building at 700 South Dixie Highway.

President Jessica Cecere is available for interviews. Call her at 561-515-2301 or email to Jessica@cccsinc.org.
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Media contact: Todd Mark, 404-653-8874, tmark@cccsatl.org
or Gay Watson, 404-653-8833, gwatson@cccsatl.org

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