Identity Theft ? Monitor Your Credit Report

The recent security breach at credit card processor CardSystems Solutions has many consumers worried. Thanks to a well-placed computer virus, nearly forty million credit card numbers were stolen, and cardholders nationwide are justifiably concerned about identity theft. Should a thief steal your identity, he or she could run up thousands of dollars worth of debt in your name and it could take years to sort out the ensuing financial mess.

Fortunately, a relatively new tool is available to consumers to help alert them to potential fraudulent activity on their credit record. Each of the three main credit bureaus offer a subscription-based credit monitoring program, as do numerous banks and financial institutions. Fees vary, but $50 or so per year is typical. The bureaus will notify consumers of activity conducted under their names, including the opening of new accounts, changes of address, credit inquiries from lenders, late payments and lawsuits and liens. Notification can come in the form of e-mail or even a message to your cell phone, if you like.

Should you be notified of suspicious activity, you can then call the appropriate agency, be it a lender, the credit bureau itself or the police, if necessary. The packages vary in both prices and features, so interested consumers should shop around to find a plan that works to fit their needs.

A free alternative is to obtain a free credit report. Thanks to a law passed last year, Americans can obtain one free report from each of the three credit bureaus per year through a special Website. By obtaining one report every four months, consumers can keep an eye on activity under their name for free. This is not nearly as effective as subscribing to a monitoring plan, which will notify you when activity takes place, but it is better than doing nothing at all. With the recent security breaches by major credit card processors, consumers who are worried about being victims of identity theft have genuine concerns. The credit bureaus are doing what they can to help, and the monitoring programs and free credit reports are a step in the right direction.

©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 HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity lending.

---

Top Stories - Google News Updated : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:52:09 GMT+00:00 Tea Party Leader Condemns Racial Slurs Hurled at Black Lawmakers - FOXNews FOXNews Tea Party Leader Condemns Racial Slurs Hurled at Black Lawmakers FOXNews Republican National Chairman Michael Steele and one of the organizers of Saturday's Tea Party rally strongly condemned the racial slurs that some black lawmakers alleged were yelled at them by some health care protesters as they headed for a procedural ... 'Tea party' protesters accused of spitting on lawmaker, using slursWashington Post GOP, Tea Party try to distance themselves from racial tauntsBelleville News Democrat Tea Party Members Hurl Gay Insults at Barney Frank Over Health Care ReformSheWired Voice of America -Politico -NBC Washington all 362 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:32:19 GMT+00:00 Democrats Need 216 Votes to Pass Health Care Reform Bill - ABC News ABC News Democrats Need 216 Votes to Pass Health Care Reform Bill ABC News After months of negotiations, closed-door meetings and persuasion by President Obama, members of the House of Representatives today will vote on the controversial $940 billion health care bill. President Obama makes final pitch to pass ... Health care latest: Dems still chasing votesCNN House leaders express confidence they will secure enough votes to pass health billWashington Post House Democrats Expect to Secure Health VotesWall Street Journal USA Today -Los Angeles Times -CBS News all 14,516 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:20:48 GMT+00:00 Iceland prepares for second, more devastating volcanic eruption - Times Online The Hindu Iceland prepares for second, more devastating volcanic eruption Times Online Iceland is preparing for an even more powerful and potentially destructive volcano after a small eruption at the weekend shot red-hot molten lava high into the sky. About 500 people were safely evacuated from the land close to the Eyjafjallajokull ... Volcano erupts in Iceland, hundreds fleeWashington Post Icelands fears 2nd even larger volcanic eruptionHouston Chronicle Iceland fears 2nd, even larger volcanic eruptionAustin American-Statesman Atlanta Journal Constitution -BusinessWeek -BBC News all 824 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:05:46 GMT+00:00 Immigration reform rally draws tens of thousands to Washington - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Immigration reform rally draws tens of thousands to Washington Los Angeles Times Organizers of the 'March for America' are trying to cast the issue as an element of economic recovery. They say hundreds of groups from almost every state are taking part. Juana Castizo, 59, of Mulberry, Florida, raises her hands in prayer as ... Immigrants, supporters gather for major rally on The MallWashington Post Thousands Expected to Rally for Immigration Overhaul in WashingtonFOXNews Luis Gutierrez's remarks on immigration reformPolitico (blog) New York Times -Huffington Post (blog) -ABC7Chicago.com all 132 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:11:05 GMT+00:00 Lazio Picks Up State Conservative Nod - NY1 Boston Globe Lazio Picks Up State Conservative Nod NY1 Republican candidate for governor Rick Lazio has officially picked up the backing of the New York State Conservative Party. Chairman Michael Long says Lazio won the vote of the party by a margin of 5-to-1 Saturday. No Republican has won statewide ... Lazio Endorsed by Conservative PartyNew York Times Lazio Wins Shaky Conservative Party Endorsement; Levy Heats UpGothamist Editorial: Steve steals the showNew York Daily News New York Post -Press & Sun-Bulletin -SILive.com all 135 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:17:46 GMT+00:00 Tensions rise as Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinians - Los Angeles Times Ha'aretz Tensions rise as Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinians Los Angeles Times The military has killed four Palestinians over the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is soon to leave for Washington after a recent diplomatic fracas over Israeli housing settlements. By Edmund Sanders As Israeli Prime Minister ... UN Chief Blames Israeli Blockade for Suffering in GazaVoice of America Netanyahu to Discuss Core Issues, Is Invited to White HouseBloomberg Ban to Gazans: We stand with youJerusalem Post Reuters -Ynetnews -Telegraph.co.uk all 1,733 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:11:43 GMT+00:00 Fargo dikes hold as Red River nears crest - Reuters CBC.ca Fargo dikes hold as Red River nears crest Reuters WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - The flooded Red River moved within inches of its crest at Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday, but dikes of earth and sandbags kept the water from causing major damage, officials said. The city had no reports of damage to homes ... Fargo on brink of declaring victory in flood fightDanbury News Times Fargo's fight against flooding nears its climaxDickinson Press Fargo on brink of declaring victory in flood fightphillyBurbs.com Merced Sun-Star -Minneapolis Star Tribune -New York Times all 4,768 news articles » Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:52:22 GMT+00:00 Make Money With Blogs Display RSS Feeds on Your Website

How to Get Credit Reporting Agencies to Help You

The process of clearing credit can be laborious and frustrating.... Read More

How to Repair a Bad Credit Rating

If you have a bad credit rating, then you might... Read More

Useful Tips on Using Credit Cards

Here are some useful tips on using credit cards. Whether... Read More

Reward Credit Cards: Get the Best Rewards Card Incentive Program

A good credit reward card can contribute to your retirement... Read More

Credit Score: The Brightest Feather In Your Financial Cap

Credit scores are the most important aspect that determines your... 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

Compare Credit Card Offers and Reward Yourself

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

How To Boost Your Credit Score

Years ago your credit score was a big secret, known... Read More

10 Ways To Boost Your Credit Score

1. Deleting Errors in 48 HoursThis is the absolute fastest... Read More

Boosting Your Credit Score To Get The Best Credit Card Deal

Making Your Credit Rating Work For YouOne of the basics... Read More

Credit Score ? for Scoring the Right Loan

Somebody once said, "There is always a way of knowing... Read More

Credit Card Is Adding The Silver Lining To Your Pocket

In the new millennium plastic money or credit cards has... Read More

Credit Reports: Find out why you have been refused Credit.

You may already have 2 or more credit cards in... Read More

Balance Transfers Introduction

Credit card balance transfer involves using a credit... Read More

Secured Credit Cards- Consumer Tips

Whether you have no credit or damaged credit, secured credit... Read More

My Student Credit Card Adventure

And some practical advice too!My first credit card?I remember my... Read More

Good Credit Is a Necessity for Everyday Living

Most of us want a good credit report to obtain... Read More

Your Credit Score

Credit scores: all lenders use credit scores to determine interest... Read More

All About Balance Transfers

What is a balance transfer?A balance transfer can be explained... Read More

What You Need to Know about Debt Negotiation on Credit Cards

Debt negotiation on credit cards is often referred to as... Read More

5 Ways To Raise Credit Score

It's not as hard as you think to raise credit... Read More

Do You Know Whats On Your Credit Report ?

It is important to know your credit rating for a... Read More

Bad Credit? No Credit? Yeah, Its a Problem.

Many companies use the slogan "Bad Credit? No Credit? No... Read More

Credit Card Shocker

Have you ever looked at your credit card statement? I'm... Read More

UPS Delivers the Goods, Your Identity

Well now we add CitiGroup and UPS to the Identity... Read More