Pontiac, MI July 22, 2004 -- U.S. Senator John McCain and his wife, Cindy, were recently victimized by a pair of identity thieves who used the McCains' credit information to make fraudulent purchases.

Johnny May, author of Johnny May's Guide to Preventing Identity Theft said "the identity theft epidemic has gotten out of control".

"Todays' criminals don't have to steal from you, they simply become you" May said.

Some experts say it's no longer a matter of if you will become a victim, but when.

President Bush recently signed a new identity theft bill that sets mandatory jail time for people convicted of stealing someone else's identity.

The law, the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, creates the charge of aggravated identity theft, which caries a mandatory two-year prison sentence. When identity theft is connected with terrorism, the mandatory prison sentence is five years.

Feeling Vulnerable? Johnny May offers the following suggestions to minimize your risk of becoming a victim:

* Invest in a personal shredder. shred bank and credit card statements, canceled checks, pre-approved credit card offers, and so forth before disposal.

* Scrutinize monthly billing statements. Open bills promptly and check you accounts monthly for charges you don't recognize. Save receipts to compare with your billing statement.

* Order a copy of your credit report at least 1-2 times per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. Check for accuracy. Look for address changes and fraudulent accounts you don't recognize.

* Keep a record of all your credit card account numbers, expiration dates abd the address and telephone number of each creditor. Store it in a safe place.

* Minimize the amount of information you carry in your purse or wallet. Limit the number of credit cards you carry with you and don't carry your social security card.





This article courtesy of http://www.identitytheftandcreditfraud.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article