Identity Theft : They Got Him

His hard earned money? Gone. Creditors on his back everyday. Police knocking on his door. His family strained to the breaking point. He didn't do anything wrong but my business partner's life got turned upside down a few years back. He became a victim of what is now the fastest growing crime in the world. Identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, since 1999 over 27 million people in the US alone became victims of this epidemic 10 million more last year. Harris InterActive,a marketing research company, reports that between 2002 and 2003 roughly 19,178 people per day fell victim.

Your identity can be stolen in many ways. For my partner, the thief gained access to his social security number and address then applied for a series of loans in his name. When the bills came due, guess who the creditors and law enforcement held accountable?

He and his family felt the full impact. Identity theft can cripple and even destroy a person's life. Not just the time loss trying to recover your identity but also the out of pocket expense. U.S.Treasury Secretary John Snow calls identity theft "the greatest threat to consumers and far more insidious and harmful to our national welfare than many people realize."

The internet doesn't make it any better with its almost limitless access to information but a great deal of identity theft still comes from the offline world. Wherever it comes from the goal stays the same. Get your personnal information and steal what belongs to you for as long as possible.

In many cases, this can lead to the victim filing for bankruptcy or worse. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, one man whose identity got stolen recently spent 54 days in jail before authorities realized their mistake.

Yet even when the thief finally gets caught, victims find out all too often the worse part still lies ahead. The recovery of their identity. For my partner, that meant never ending battles with the same credit bureaus that previously gave him good ratings.

They destroyed his credit almost overnight eventhough he did everything they told him to get it restored. The agencies refused to clear his record and instead, started sharing his information with each other. His mortgage rates went thru the roof. He paid more for everything but still got declined. With all of this came the burden and fear of him not knowing if he would ever recover his identity.

Six years later he finally did. He started working with a company that within 90 days restored his credit. His mortgage rate dropped and he went back to paying full price for everything like the rest of us.

And like my partner, all of us risk becoming victims. In San Antonio Texas, television station KENS 5 spoke with a man convicted of identity theft who warned "Don't take for granted what you have because anybody could take it away - I mean at the snap of a finger."

He would know. The ways of stealing an identity have turned this crime from nuisance to worldwide crisis.

Daryl Campbell is a technical and screenplay writer and CEO of Campbell Marketing, L.L.C. His website winthemarket.com, mini-sites, and articles submitted to ezines help the reader to grow and protect their internet marketing business.

Can you afford to hire professionals who will give you 24/7 protection, complete identity restoration and the best legal services? Identity thieves hope you answer no. Upset them by going to http://digbig.com/4cmcg now.

---

Beginners Guide to Credit

I remember back when I was 18 and completely oblivious... Read More

Errors on Your Credit Report: What You Should Do

There are times when you may be turned down for... Read More

10 Signs You May Need Credit Counseling

Debt management programs can be of real help for people... Read More

SuperCharged Secret 4, Credit Card Utopia

YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!Let's... Read More

Do you Know the Benefits of Checking your Credit Report?

Do you know why you should check your credit report?Of... Read More

Consolidating Credit Cards

Credit card consolidation is a popular solution for those with... Read More

Credit Card Incentives

Credit card companies want your business. After all, lending money... Read More

Collection Agencies: What Do They Do?

Collection agencies are businesses that collect past-due bills and accounts... Read More

Credit Cards: Pros and Cons

Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards,... Read More

10 Tips To Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Imagine opening your credit card statement one morning and discovering... Read More

Finding and Applying for the Right Credit Card Offer Online

Anywhere you go online nowadays, you will see a multitude... Read More

How a Credit Card Can Be Your Friend

We have all heard countless stories of people over their... Read More

Credit Scoring: What You Dont Know Can Hurt You

You've probably heard the term credit scoring. You may have... Read More

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is when someone uses, without permission, your personal... Read More

3 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score by 50 Points In Less Than 30 Days

In Less Than 30 Days. "What can you do to... Read More

What You Need to Know About Credit Reports

You hear people talk about credit reports all the time... Read More

Special Credit Information for Married Couples

If you are married, establish separate credit accounts.Try to finance... Read More

SuperCharged Secret 5, Credit Card Utopia

LIVING IN CREDIT CARD UTOPIALet's just take a brief moment... Read More

Convenience Can Be Costly

You've just opened your credit card bill and attached to... Read More

Opting For A Credit Card? Check Out Certain Terms

You've just received a "pre-approved" credit card offer in your... Read More

What is Credit Repair and How Can It Help You?

There are millions of consumer credit reports on file from... Read More

When You Are Eligible For A Free Credit Report

By Federal law, you are entitled to one free credit... Read More

Good Credit Is Not A Good Reason To Borrow More Money After Youve Achieved Financial Freedom

The most important thing for you to remember is that... Read More

Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

In their quest to get you to sign up for... Read More

Bank Robbery Growing In U.S.

Bank robbery has grown to become a huge problem in... Read More

Start Building Credit Fast!

There are a couple of reasons for this. You can... Read More

Compare Credit Card Offers and Reward Yourself

Here's a simple system on how to pay zero interest... Read More

Credit Report ? How Your Credit Score is Determined

Most consumers are aware that they have something known as... Read More

Make Sure Your Credit Report Is Correct to Improve Your Interest Rates And Lower Insurance Premiums

Did you know that you could make sure to get... Read More

Credit Cards - The Top 3 Things You Need To Know

Today there are so many different credit cards available, student... Read More

5 Things Your Credit Card Company Keeps Quiet About

Credit Cards can bankrupt you if you let them run... Read More

Credit Repair Services vs. Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair

Millions of Americans suffer because of bad credit these days,... Read More

Learn How to Improve Your Credit Score

Having a damaging credit record can hurt you in many... Read More