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Credit virus Debt
Secured And Unsecured Debt. What's The Difference? It’s easy to just think that debt is just debt, but in reality, there are different types of loans, and it’s important to know what which type you have. You will need to understand the...
Post-Divorce Alimony in Texas
This article provides a brief overview on Texas law concerning post-divorce alimony. Laws differ from state to state and individual circumstances vary, so you should consult with a qualified family law attorney in your area for specific advice on...
Structured Settlement Payments - The Who and The What
A structured settlement is a series of payments made over a period of time. People usually get them as a result of a lawsuit. For various reasons, people who receive these payments, sometimes wish to cash them out and get a lump sum payment. There...
Structured Settlements 101: How Structured Settlements Work
You have probably heard the term “Structured Settlement” on a television or print ad and wondered what it meant. After all, the term is not a part of our everyday lexicon. A structured settlement is a contract under which an insurance company...
Student Loans Can’t Be Swept Away Through Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is in the news these days, as Congress has finally overhauled the Federal bankruptcy law after years of talking about it. The credit card companies, rightly or wrongly, have been pressuring members of Congress to tighten the bankruptcy...
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New Bankruptcy Law Will Not Protect You from Identity Theft
Recently passed by Congress with overwhelming support, the oddly-named Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was designed to eliminate “bankruptcy of convenience.” The perceived problem is that many compulsive gamblers, shoppers and drug users often run up huge debts on easily available credit cards with no intention of paying their bills. A relatively easy bankruptcy filing through Chapter 7 of the Federal bankruptcy code wipes all the debts clean and gives the debtor a fresh start. Studies would suggest that most people who file for bankruptcy are actually suffering from sudden illness, job loss or some other catastrophic event, but the law was passed just the same, and debtors will now have to repay at least a portion of their problem debt when the new law takes place in October, 2005.
A provision of the new law that was not well publicized is the fact that the law applies to any debt, including debt which has been incurred through theft of the debtor’s identity. If someone steals your credit card, or driver’s license, or both, and runs up a huge amount of debt by posing as you, then you will be held responsible for the debt. Identity theft has become an increasingly large problem in the last few years, but the new legislation should make everyone aware of the problem associated with identity theft. While a determined thief can probably steal anything, a few simple steps can make it harder for someone to steal your identity.:
Shred your documents. There are plenty of thieves that will sort through trash, looking for credit card receipts, bills and any document that has your signature. If you are throwing away financial documents, shred them first. Shredders can be found at any office supply store for a reasonable price.
Don’t give out your Social Security number to anyone unless it is
absolutely necessary. Congress originally intended that the Social Security number not be used as a national identity number, but over the years it has become just that. If someone with whom you are doing business asks you for your number, inquire as to whether it is absolutely necessary that they have it. Providing the number may not be required. A thief can obtain a lot of information about you if they have your Social Security number. Guard it carefully.
Don’t carry more credit cards with you than is necessary. It’s rarely necessary to carry 20 credit cards in your purse or wallet. Go through them and see if you can’t keep a few in a secure place at home.
Check your credit report once a year and look for suspicious entries. It typically takes nearly a year for someone to find out that their identity has been stolen. Look out for loans or large purchases that you don’t remember making.
Never give out personal financial information, especially credit card numbers, to someone that you don’t know on the telephone.
A few simple steps, practiced regularly, can protect you from identity theft. More importantly, these steps can protect you from having to repay thousands of dollars of debt that some thief might run up in your name. Your identity is your most valuable asset. Protect it carefully.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding structured settlements.
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