- How can I start investing for my retirement?
- How can I plan for my children's education?
- How do I develop an investment strategy that supports my lifestyle?
- I have money to invest. Where do I begin?
- As a business owner, how do I plan for my own and my employees' needs?
- How can I lower my tax bill?
- How can I ensure the financial security of my family?
- How can I ensure that my wealth is transferred to my loved ones?
- How can I manage my short-term needs while maintaining my long-term financial goals?
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HOW WE APPROACH YOUR NEEDS
Protecting Your Credit
Raising your credit score and improving your credit history go hand in hand. Being a smart consumer requires you to be familiar with what's on your credit report and take responsibility for proactively monitoring it. Thanks to the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, Americans nationwide are entitled to a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can only get your free reports by going to www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
If you review your credit report and something seems wrong or unusual, be sure to check with your credit card company or lender as soon as possible. Though it could only be a clerical error, roughly 7-10 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year and the last thing you need is to be a thief’s next victim.
Although you may only be financially liable for $50 of the actual theft, you could spend months or even years cleaning up the damage that’s been done to your credit score and rating.
What can you do? Be vigilant, as you would be with any type of theft. It can be as easy as doing the following simple tasks:
- Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT to be removed from credit bureau marketing lists to reduce the number of offers you receive via phone and by mail.
- Purchase a shredder and shred all old bills, new credit card or loan offers, or financial papers you no longer need. This will reduce the opportunities “dumpster diving” thieves have to get your information.
- Be alert when asked for personal information on the phone, through the mail or via the internet unless you are absolutely sure you know who you're dealing with.
- Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly to look for unfamiliar transactions.
- Keep your purse and wallet within reach at all times.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry it in your wallet or write it on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
- Be mindful of people at ATMs, in line at the bank or grocery store.
Learn more about the warning signs and specific steps you should take to gain a greater level of protection against identity thieves – so you’ll never have to worry about becoming a victim.
