What you are about to read will make disturbing reading believe me.
Recently I just got my Identity back after some piece of scum stole it. Good for you I hear you say; well maybe so but here's the disturbing part, how long do you think it took me to get my identity back, six months, a year, two years maybe, `NO`, it actually took me three years to get my identity back.
`OH`, I now here you say, `YES,OH` and I am not alone because the number of people reporting having there identity stolen is on the increase. The internet has made identity fraud a lot easier.
If you think three years is a long time then what about those people who have had to fight tooth and nail for six, seven,eight, or more years to get there's back. Compared to those people I got off lightly, I was successful in getting mine back a lot sooner than most.
The one thing I hear time and time again is `IT WON'T HAPPEN TO ME`; well it's time for a reality check because that's what I said.
No one is more cautious than me but it happened to me and it can happen to you too.

What' s The Cost Of Identity Theft?
...................................
Well apart from the obvious `MONEY BEING STOLLEN`, there's your time spent trying to recover your `OWN` identity. I spent over two hundred hours trying to get mine back.
Not only have you got to suffer the hardship of having your money stolen but you then get to rub salt into your own wounds because you have to spend your own money in order to get your own identity back. Try somewhere in the region of $1500 to $2500 and that's not as much as some people have to pay. Then you have to factor in the physical, mental and emotional pain that goes with having your identity stolen.

So How Do I Get My Identity Back?
................................
First of all you have to report the theft to the police and then get a police report. Having a police report doesn't automatically mean that all the other law enforcement agencies have been contacted.
`OH NO`, you must make sure that you contact and do a complete search of local and federal law enforcement agencies data bases to find out if anything else, including such things as criminal activity exist on your identity.
You will also need to use the police report when you contact the large and I mean extremely large amount of different agencies and various organizations such as,Social Security Administration,The Federal Trade Commission,all of your financial institutions,the three credit bureaus,the Passport Office,The Department of Motor Vehicles,the Post Office, as well as the Medical Information Bureau.
You must make sure that you send a fraud notification alert to all of the above.

Does It Get Any Easier After That?
...................................
No unfortunately not because if you think carrying out the above instructions is tiresome then this next piece of information is going to make you sink to your knees in shock.
You see we all rely on credit cards and bank accounts to some degree or another but once your identity is stolen you have no choice but to cancel all your credit cards and close your bank accounts down.
You also have to check with your bank and find out if any suspicious activity has taken place; for example your bank account has been tampered with or another account in your name has been opened fraudulently.
You then have to reopen another bank account and make sure that it is password protected; that way only you know the pass word so therefor only you can access your new account.

DON'T TAKE EXCUSSES!
....................
Don't let anyone get away with telling you that they can't release certain private information about you because the law is on your side and in the case of identity fraud you are entitled to access to any information that is held as regards yourself.
`STAND YOUR GROUND`, it's your identity at stake.
Make sure that all organization such as the credit bureaus up date there records and place on your file that you have had your identity stolen and cloned.
If you do not then in the future' should you apply for a mortgage or a loan for example your past pertaing to your indentiy being stolen could come back to haunt you.

Done That ,So What's Next?
..........................
Stay away from credit card companies, “I KNOW”, what your thinking how can I live without my credit card. Well I manage quite fine without one; ok it takes a while to get used to but get used to you will. It's better than becoming a victim again.
Also stay away from those horrible `credit repair companies`. It matters not what they advertise, you will find that there's in most cases nothing what-so-ever they can do for you concerning identity fraud except deplete your bank balance by charging you vast amounts of money.

Ok Done That , So Is That Me Finished Now?
.........................................
One last thing but important none the less. You must inform your utility companies that your identity has been stolen. The miss conception is that it is only bank accounts and credit cards that many identity thieves are after. They also commit fraud by opening telephone accounts,purchasing expensive items using credit taken out in your name, or even opening accounts with gas & electric companies with the view to getting away with the theft for as long is possible.
Identity theft is also used to fuel and fund other criminal activities and it is a lot easier than robbing someone on the street for the criminal.

You Need Help, So Get It!
.........................
I can tell you from personal experience that identity theft is a shattering experience both mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It's not only you who suffers but also those around you.You feel violated even though you know it's not your fault but still it changes nothing.
Get counseling if necessary, also there are a number of support groups and counselors out there who can help. In fact a lot of those running support groups have been victims themselves so therefore they understand more than anyone what your going through.

Time Is A Healer!
.................
Yes time is a healer, of course you will never forget but you will be able to piece your life together and move on. Belief in yourself is key and I was lucky, I found a company that not only helped restore my self belief but my confidence too and they showed me that I could pick up the pieces, start afresh and I even had the confidence to start my own internet based business which is something I thought I would never do.

YOU COULD BE NEXT, SO BE CAREFULL OUT THERE!


Copyright © 2007 John Barr

......................................................................