An Introduction to Identity Theft. Letbighelptoday.com. Your Free Copy

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1 An Introduction to Identity Theft Your Free Copy

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3 DO I NEED IDENTITY THEFT INSURANCE? Necessary Coverage or False Sense of Security? Identity theft has become a national concern, with 10 million victims in the US according to some estimates. The market is being flooded with identity theft insurance, credit monitoring plans, and other services, and our mailboxes are being flooded with offers to buy these services and dire warnings of what could happen if we don't. How do you know whether you should buy identity theft protection? What Is Identity Theft Protection? Identity theft protection plans are a new type of "insurance" that claims to protect you from the costs associated with identity theft and the time-consuming process of cleaning up the mess left behind when somebody steals your identity. Credit monitoring, a related service, reviews your credit report at one of the three major credit reporting agencies and notifies you of any changes, such as a change in your address, new credit accounts in your name, or inquiries on your account, that might indicate a problem. Should You Buy Identity Theft Insurance or Credit Monitoring? First, keep in mind that many of the identity theft insurance plans and other related services are being offered by the same organizations that are failing to protect your personal information, such as banks and credit card companies. Consumer experts say that most people don't need identity theft protection. Why? Identity Theft Insurance doesn't reimburse you for money that is stolen from you. Some policies pay expenses such as lost wages (often capped at $2000) and legal fees, but a lawyer is usually not required resolving an identity theft case. The main requirement is your time in dealing with creditors to provide documentation and work out the issues. Even though some plans claim to cover the costs associated with resolving an identity theft case, the burden of dealing with creditors will still fall on you because most creditors won't deal with anybody else. Finally, identity theft is usually committed by someone we know, often family members, but identity theft insurance often doesn't pay if the crime is committed by a family member, so you're not protected against the thing that is most likely to happen. If you do decide to buy identity theft or credit monitoring services, be sure you know exactly what you're getting for your money. To put it in perspective, multiply the monthly cost of the coverage times 12 to find the yearly cost, and then evaluate

4 exactly what you're getting for the money. Is it worth it or is it just providing a false sense of security? WHAT WE DO THAT SEPARATES US FROM OTHERS We are a non attorney document preparation service, preparing all of the documents identity theft victims need to file with Federal, State and Local agencies. We thus eliminate the frustration and difficulties that may arise when you attempt to resolve the matter.with your busy schedule it can be almost impossible to do it all yourself, so please let us help; all documents are prepared with our 100% accuracy and unlimited correction policy. Current Identity theft protection Acts were created to provide the consumer with a real sense of security. What we do for you: 1) We prepare all Affidavits, Documents and Letters needed to protect your identity and repair most damaged caused by identity theft. Providing up to 7 years of real protection. 2) Victim s of Identity theft are not responsible for any fraudulently credit card charges made by thieves, therefore we will aggressively challenge up to 5 fraudulent accounts caused by Identity theft. 3) The best way stop identity theft; prevent unauthorized access to your credit report. We prepare letters that will block access to your credit reports. No one can pull your credit report using your SSN to apply for new credit without your permission. 4) We place alerts on your driver s license preventing anyone from giving your name fraudulently to Police. 5) We can help if you are an actual victim or potential victim of Identity theft. We file Affidavits with Federal, State and Local Tax agencies on

5 your behalf requesting they monitor your accounts for any questionable activity. 6) If someone fraudulently used your name while committing a crime and you now have an arrest record or traffic tickets. We will request to have your name cleared with Federal, State and Local Authorities.* 7) How much of your personal information is available to the public? Type your name in any web browser and press search, the results will surprise you. We prevent strangers from finding your address, telephone number, and the names of your children. We send request letters to have your name removed from most internet information gathering websites.* 8) Most banks offer free fraud alerts, therefore we will send letters to your bank requesting fraud alerts be placed on your accounts. 9) We will demand CRA s (Transunion Equifax, Experian) to block or remove any fraudulent, negative, inaccurate information on your credit report caused by identity theft. 10) We can file all your documents. You never need to miss work! No standing in line at court to get a document recorded. 11) We provide 100% accuracy on all documents prepared. 12) A FULL money back guarantee on documents not filed in Court. All this for ONE Low Flat price, No monthly charges. Most Identity theft programs charge monthly fees that range from $12- $25 per month. With their service you would be paying an average price of $144-$300 just for one year of service.

6 We give you up to 7 years of the best Identity theft protection available for a price most companies would charge in one year!! Call today One Flat price $199 plus any court filing fees. *All Requests sent on your behalf to Courts and Law enforcement agencies to remove or correct information cannot be guaranteed do to circumstances beyond our control. +To maintain privacy and protect your identity we do not collect, store, or ask for any sensitive information; such as SSN, DOB, or drivers license numbers. We prepare all documents and mail them to you for your review. You then fill in your personal information and seal the documents in our postage paid ready to mail envelops. THE UNITED STATES LEGAL RESPONSE TO THE IDENTITY THEFT PROBLEM Federal Laws The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act The Identity Theft Deterrence Act of 2003 was brought forth before the United States Senate by the Finance and Trade Commission. According to the statute, anyone carrying an ID in order to knowingly possess or transfer it without lawful authority will be deemed a federal criminal. In order to be prosecuted by the federal jurisdiction the crime must be about a United States issued identification document.

7 Punishment can be up to 30 years in a federal prison and may include fines as well. But that s not all! The punishment can be extended by adding any consecutive sentences brought on by some specific felony violations. If the state or local government agencies bring on the charges from ID theft, then the penalties will be applied depending on the state-specific laws. Simply put, the outcomes of the application of this law are dependent on what is involved in the crime and whether it is a federal or state crime. The Fair Credit Reporting Act This act mandates that credit bureaus report consumer credit ratings accurately and privately. This civil statute states the circumstances in which consumer reports many be released to businesses. It also outlines the measures through which consumers may correct any errors on their credit report. So if someone comes in knowledge that there is illegal activity on their credit report, perhaps a loan that they never asked for, then they can report it immediately to the relevant credit bureau to have the matter investigated. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act This act was brought as a modification to the Consumer Credit Protection Act. This act means to discourage debt collectors from using abusive and unfair practices to collect consumer debt. It also provides remedies for people who have been subjected to abusive debt collection practices. But this act is perhaps most

8 helpful in stopping debt collection from victims of identity theft by prohibiting debt collectors from collecting money on debt created by identity thieves. The Fair Credit Billing Act This act amended the Truth in Lending Act in order to protect consumers from inaccurate and unfair credit card and credit billing practices. It brought about changes in procedures to resolve credit card billing errors. There are to punishments for a thief outlined in this act, but it does give protection to credit card holders by limiting their liability. State Laws At the moment 47 American states have some type of law against Identity Theft. Georgia s ID theft law was amended in 2002 to cover identity theft used for any type of personal gain by the thief. IT also introduced tougher penalties for the crime, i.e. up to ten years in jail and fines not exceeding $100,000 for first time offenders. The South Carolina identity theft statute is almost identical to Georgia statue. But they also have a Computer Crime Act that makes it illegal for someone to access another person s computer in an attempt to defraud them or obtain their electronic property or finances The state also has a bill in the General Assembly known as Senate Bill 13, this bill specifies procedures for the victims of ID theft to clear their name. It also outlines better security measures when identifying credit

9 card holders and mandates the creation of an identity theft database, keeping track of the victims as well as the thieves. While Kansas ID theft laws give a little leeway to the thieves as well. It adds that I order to be found guilty there must be evidence that a person stole someone else s is ID information requires "knowingly and with the intent to defraud for economic benefit." This requirement severely limits the scope of the Identity Theft law and those who can be persecuted under the law; after all not everyone steals identities solely for economic benefit. Many people steal Social Security numbers so they can stay illegally in the United States or get jobs. California s identity theft laws are quite strict as well. But they have made a recent amendment to their statute making businesses more accountable as well. This new stature allows victims of Identity Theft to be able to ask for information pertaining to accounts created using their identity. So if someone s identity was used to apply for a loan, credit line, bank account, credit card, utility services etc, they can ask the relevant business to turn over the relevant documents, proof of identification etc. Recent Crimes on ID Theft There are many cases of identity theft scattered throughout the years. And just like all the other white collar crimes, the person behind the crime pleads guilty before the trial has ever started.

10 In the case United States v. Melton, the thieves stole information about people such as names, dates of birth, social security numbers by ransacking mail, garbage and recyclable material. They didn t steal it for personal use, but they traded it in for meth, cell phones and other such things. They also used computer software to log keystrokes in order to capture credit card information. These acts of crime led to a total of $400,000 in fraudulent purchases. Both the defendants pled guilty. One of them was sentenced to 41 months in prison and restitution payments of $70,025.98, and the second defendant was sentenced to 15 months in prison and was required to pay restitution in the amount of $52, In the case of Paulette Field V. TransUnion LLC, et al. the plaintiff s identity was stolen and used to get 13 credit cards and accounts. When the Plaintiff found out that she was a victim she contacted the Defendant to learn the correct procedure for inquiring into the accounts and to be shown to have a Fraud Alert. The Plaintiff sued the Defendant for negligence in the handling of her claims, since the "method of reporting information in consumer credit reports based on information obtained from credit providers is unreasonable." Here, it was established that reasonable procedures were used and it was reiterated that a credit reporting company cannot be held exactingly liable. The Defendant did not know if there was any reason to doubt the information, and therefore was found to not be liable for negligence.

11 If we can be of any assistance to you in your efforts to protect your identity or clear your name, please do not hesitate to call or us today. Sincerely Roy Burton Beginning of Independence Group LLC (888) ext 1 roy@letbighelptoday.com