Pensacola Identity Theft Help


How prevalent is identity theft?
Identity theft is the largest growing non-violent crime in America today. YOU may currently be a victim or greatly at risk and not even know it.

How can your identity be stolen?
- Copying your credit card number at stores and restaurants
- Hacking businesses that have your stored information
- Someone stealing your lost wallet or purse.
- Responding to fake e-mails
- Someone accessing information from your computer
- Houseguests or visitors to your home
- Discarded bank statements or deposit slips
- Bogus charities
- Filling out cards for fake contests or drawings for prizes

What’s the worst that can happen if you become the victim of identity theft? Thieves can cause all kinds of problems for you such as:
- Open a new account under your name and write bad checks.
- Use your name and social security number to receive government benefits.
- Obtain new credit cards in your name.
- Use your name to acquire utility services such as water or cable television.
- Obtain new loans in your name.
- Ruin your credit when they do not pay on accounts opened in your name.
- Use your identity in situations that lead to you being denied work or losing your job.
- Acquire a driver’s license in your name, but with their picture.
- Use your identity for illegal activity resulting in your arrest.

Bottom line, any problems that come as a result of your identity being stolen- you will be the one left to sort through the mess.

Are you at risk? Which of the following do you practice?
- Shred all materials that contain any sensitive information before throwing it in the garbage. Identity thieves can obtain quite a bit of information on you by just going through your discarded trash.
- Make sure your computer’s security is updated on a regular basis.
- Order an annual copy of your credit report to check for anything that looks suspicious.
- Use a post office box to receive your mail or an unsecured mailbox. Identity thieves retrieve pieces of mail such as credit card offers from mailboxes. With these items, they then obtain a copy of the credit card in the victim’s name and go shopping.
- Let your credit card leave your sight when paying for anything at a restaurant or other establishment.
- Give out sensitive information to telephone solicitors.
- Provide your personal information to retail businesses to sign up for their discounts or frequent shopper offers.
- Keep personal information in a safe deposit box or secure safe inside your home.
- Protect who has access to your social security number or who you provide it to.
- Have you put your name on the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call registry?

YOUR privacy is for sale!
Every day, data brokers are willing to sell your individual information to their paying customers. You would be amazed just what information they have on you! There have been many instances of hackers obtaining personal information of individuals from such entities as well!

CompassPoint Investigations can provide you with the information to protect you from becoming a victim of identity theft. If you are afraid that you have already become a victim of identity theft, we can guide you through the necessary steps to help you get back on track.