Protect Against Identity Theft Over the Holidays

My wife keeps reminding me that it's that time of year when we do a LOT of shopping. As you're out there flashing the credit, you've got more to worry about than your own personal will power to not overspend beyond what you can afford. There are identity thieves lurking out there looking for opportunitites to steal your credit cards, and your identity.

From a CBS News report:
Many consumers are already warming up their credit cards ahead of Friday's unofficial launch of the holiday shopping season. Are you being careful enough with your credit AND with your privacy? Ray Hennessey, editor of SmartMoney.com, offers some help.

Following Black Friday, many shoppers hit the internet for Cyber Monday - the first Monday after Thanksgiving - and complete some of their holiday shopping online from work. "It's the more dangerous time because your using your credit card and your using the internet," Hennessey says. "It's a more secure world than a few years ago, but there are some things you can do to make sure it's even more secure."

Hennessey recommends only using websites of merchants you know and trust. These are the sites that have the more secure sites. And while you are visiting these larger sites, consolidate your purchases. "If you're going to go to a place like Amazon, do as much as your shopping in one thing so you are just dealing with one charge on your bill instead of multiple charges," he suggests. And immediately check receipts against your bank statements. The quicker you find problems, the sooner they can be fixed.

Full article from CBS News

New York law lets consumers freeze credit data

Nov. 1 marked the enactment of a new state law allowing New Yorkers the option of 'freezing' their credit information, effectively keeping identity theft thieves out and valuable credit information secure.

The New York State Security Freeze Law allows any state consumer to write to the three major agencies - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian - and request that their credit records be blocked from any inquiries.

The credit firms however, believe the law makes it very difficult for consumers to get credit when they need it, and suggested better, easy-to-use and free options, such as placing a fraud alert on their credit file, said Jennifer Costello, a spokesman from Atlanta-based Equifax.

While file freezing may be appropriate for some consumers, it can pose

inconveniences and unintended consequences for credit active Americans,” Equifax said in a statement sent to this publication. “A security freeze requires a consumer to plan ahead as it limits credit grantors and other businesses access to their credit file to make offers of credit, employment, etc.

Full Article from DMNews.com

New York law lets consumers freeze credit data

Nov. 1 marked the enactment of a new state law allowing New Yorkers the option of 'freezing' their credit information, effectively keeping identity theft thieves out and valuable credit information secure.

The New York State Security Freeze Law allows any state consumer to write to the three major agencies - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian - and request that their credit records be blocked from any inquiries.

The credit firms however, believe the law makes it very difficult for consumers to get credit when they need it, and suggested better, easy-to-use and free options, such as placing a fraud alert on their credit file, said Jennifer Costello, a spokesman from Atlanta-based Equifax.

While file freezing may be appropriate for some consumers, it can pose

inconveniences and unintended consequences for credit active Americans,” Equifax said in a statement sent to this publication. “A security freeze requires a consumer to plan ahead as it limits credit grantors and other businesses access to their credit file to make offers of credit, employment, etc.

Full Article from DMNews.com