Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
Unfortunately, identify theft is on the rise. As our family is a victim from the security breach of the South Carolina Department of Revenue, I cannot shout loud enough the importance of routinely checking your credit reports.
If you are following my recommended schedule for requesting your credit reports, then check the date on your previous year’s credit report.
Wait at least one full year from the processing of your last request for a free report. For example, I requested my Equifax report more than a year ago, so I can request another this year for free.
In using time wisely, I request our reports every 4 (or 5) months. This month, I requested Paul’s TransUnion report and my Equifax report. Though the request options include web site and mail, my preference is by phone. As the credit bureaus have been slammed with requests, I am still awaiting our reports.
But when the reports arrive, I will do the following:
3. Run a free TransUnion credit score for Paul,
4. Replace last year’s reports with these accurate reports with score in the first file slot of Box 1 of my important documents, and
5. Put file box away until February’s credit check
Running the free credit reports keeps you informed of your active accounts and alerts you to any unauthorized new accounts. To protect your identity, request your credit reports on a rotating schedule while using time wisely. Watching closely with you!
Question: Have you been a victim of identify theft?