Everybody knows how important it is to keep credit history in good standing. This can be achieved by controlling your spending, promptly submitting payments and keeping up with your credit card bills. However, despite your best efforts, it is possible that your credit history be affected or even damaged by fraudulent acts and violations.

Today, many cases of fraud and identity theft have been reported from all over the world. The strategies used in committing crimes related to identity theft are many. In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), identity theft is one of the fastest high-rated crimes not just in US but across the globe.

Identity theft is the crime of stealing someone else’s identity or personal information. The obtained information is then used to execute illegal activities or transactions. Thus, the real owner of that identity is the one who is directly affected by all fraudulent activities made on his name.

Your credit history can be damaged in just a short time without your slightest awareness. Everyone can easily be a victim of identity theft. Thus, the best way to protect yourself is to know their strategies and be vigilant about your actions at all times. Here are the things you can do to keep your credit history in good standing:

• Safeguard your account details and other important information. Don’t just write your account number, credit card number or PIN on any piece of paper that can easily get misplaced. Make sure it’s written on a planner or a notebook that is kept hidden in a safe place.
• Don’t bring all your identification cards and credit cards with you. Keeping all these valuable cards in your wallet puts you at great risk in case your wallet gets stolen. If you’re not going to use your cards, leave them in a safe storage. If you lost your wallet or your student credit card or any Identification card, report it to your bank at once.
• Destroy all your past bills, ATM receipts, old credit cards, expired identification cards or any thing that has your personal identification or important numbers on it. See to it that you don’t just throw them in the garbage bin without shredding each card or paper to smallest pieces.
• Never give out personal information such as your social security number or credit card number to anyone over the phone. Remember, banks, financial institutions and legitimate companies never obtain confidential information through telephone. This principle also applies to E-mails and online applications. Don’t fill out any of your personal information online unless you’re completely sure that you’re using a secured site.
• If you’re not receiving your credit card bills on time, alert your credit card company right away. It’s possible that someone might have called your credit card company using your name and identity to request for a change of address.

• Monitor your credit report regularly. Checking your credit report from time to time will enable you to see if there are false reports or erroneous transactions reflected on your account. This way, if there is any sign of fraud, you can take action immediately.

If you’d like to get a credit report, or if you have any disputes about your credit report, you may contact any one of the three major credit bureaus through the following websites and contact numbers:

• Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com

About the Author Melanie Mathis is a credit analyst and a writer for 8 years. She has been participating in the programs of NHBS, Inc such as their continuous effort in giving out Free Credit Repair and Building Ebook. NHBS also has a list of recommended bad credit credit cards.

Copyright 2008.