Home > Free Credit Report >
Check Your Credit Report > Check Your Credit Report: Keeping A Tight Rein On Your Social Security Number!
Check Your Credit Report: Keeping A Tight Rein On Your Social Security Number! |
|
You should check your credit report regularly so that you know what's going on in your credit report. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your social security number, he can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thefts use your social security numbers and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. While they illegally enjoy the benefits, credit charges are recorded against your name and you fall into trouble. So, check your credit report on a regular basis and try to find out if everything is okay. Social security numbers are nothing but nine digit numbers written as three fields separated by hyphens: XXX-YY-ZZZ. The first three digits are the area number, the middle two digits are the group number, and the last four digits are the serial number. Usually, you must disclose your social security number to apply for a job, rent a car, buy a house, and open a bank account. Moreover, schools, phone companies, utilities, health clubs, insurance companies, video stores--just about everybody wants your social security numbers. So, you can assume the importance of social security numbers in your life. But if you do not check your credit report regularly, you may not know whether it's safeguarded. Your social security numbers should be kept confidential. While any business can ask for your social security numbers, there are very few entities that actually demand it--motor vehicle departments, tax departments, and welfare departments, for example. When you go to the doctor's office and fill out the medical information, they ask for the SSN. If you leave it blank nothing happens actually. So, don't give your SSN number to anyone because it's not necessary that you give your social security number to your doctor's office. To check your credit report, first order your credit report from the credit bureaus. Social security numbers exist for the purpose of tracking earnings and paying benefits. But the snowballing problem of identity theft is spurring some governments to limit the use of SSNs. Right now our computerized economy has made identity theft a very lucrative, and relatively easy crime. Armed with any personal information (your social security number, your driver's license number, a number from one of your credit cards), sophisticated thieves can create an entire false identity, and then run up all manner of credit charges against your supposed accounts. In more extreme examples, thieves can use your personal information to gain access to your bank and investment accounts. And all this credit charges are recorded against your name in your report. Until and unless, you check your credit report you can't assume what's wrong with your credit. So, how can you protect yourself? As mentioned earlier, you need to check your credit report and find out if anything wrong with it. The American Association of Retired Persons suggests that you do not print your social security number on your checks. They also advise that you should not carry your social security card with you. But that's only the beginning. The real question is what happens when you want to do business with someone and they ask for your number. Private organizations can demand your number for almost anything. You can refuse to give it to them. But they can choose not to do business with you. When someone asks for your social security number, find out why they need it. Expect to provide it when you apply for credit. For anything else, you might want to consider refusing the request. You would also want to know how they'd use your number once they have it. Would they access your credit file once and that's it? Remember, the information that you provide may not remain private. Even "reputable" businesses have been known to sell blocks of social security numbers. So, be very careful in making agreement with any company. Never forget to check your credit report on a routine basis. |
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
|
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
Custom Search
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
|
|
| ------------------------ |
|---|
Consumer Alerts | About | Bookmark Us | Contact | Espanol | Privacy Statement | Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Financial Widgets | SiteMap
Copyright © 2006 Credit Loan, LLC. 235 APOLLO BEACH BLVD, STE 218 Apollo Beach, Florida 33572 All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The content provided on CreditLoan.com is for informational purposes only; do not make any financial decisions based on its content. Financial decisions are personal, based on an individual's situation. Consult with a financial professional before making any financial decisions. CreditLoan.com is not liable for your financial actions.
