The effects of data breaches are continuing to cause significant risks for millions of Americans. Hackers have been able to retrieve full names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver license numbers.

These breaches of personal information are serious, and we must make it a habit to monitor our credit reports, financial documents, bank statements, and bills much more frequently. If you don’t have a need for any new loans or credit cards, it’s a great idea to put yourself on a CREDIT FREEZE at all 3 major credit reporting agencies, which includes Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. It’s FREE. There’ll be more to come later on Credit Freezes.

If you’ve found out that you’re already a victim of Identity Theft, you have the following rights:

1. The right to create an Identity Theft Report with the Federal Trade Commission and your local Police Department.

2. The right to a 90 day initial fraud alert and a 7 year extended fraud alert at all 3 agencies.

3. Free copies of your credit reports.

4. The dispute and removal of fraudulent information from your report.

5. The right to stop creditors and debt collectors from reporting fraudulent accounts.

6. The right to receive all documents related to the Identity Theft.

7. The right to stop debt collectors from contacting you.

8. The right to put a credit FREEZE at all three credit bureaus.

9. And if you have fraudulent accounts, you’re not responsible for any debt.

The Social Security Administration, all businesses, the Division of Motor Vehicles, Utility Companies, Investment companies, banks, other financial institutions, medical facilities, and other affected agencies will work with you to reverse damages created by Identity Theft. If we stay vigilant to monitoring our documents, bills, reports and records, we can minimize the damage of Identity Theft from the start!!!!