Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Birth Certificate - Identity Theft

How Can a Thief Use a Birth Certificate to Perpetrate Identity Theft?

When was the last time you needed your birth certificate? When you first got your driver's license? When you were applying to college? When you got married? When you applied for your first passport?

It is not something most of us give much thought to, but your birth certificate is the first and most important document you will ever own. If your birth certificate is lost or stolen, the loss of that document can lead to a loss of assets, and damage to your credit and reputation. In the wrong hands, your birth certificate can be used to obtain a driver's license, cash a check, secure a loan, open credit accounts and charge them to the max, rent an apartment, buy a car, purchase a cell phone and rack up charges, or even commit a serious crime - all in your name.

If your birth certificate is lost or stolen and you do nothing to protect yourself, it could take days or even years before you are effected. Traditional reporting methods, such as fraud alerts and credit reporting, may eventually notify you of fraudulent activity, but only after the damage has been done. The only way to protect yourself from identity theft is through early detection of suspicious activity - early detection allows you to take action and stop identity theft before damage occurs.

There are many companies that claim to offer identity theft protection, but only IdentityTruth uses advanced technology to search billions of data points tracking your personal data and detecting suspicious activity. When possible fraud is detected, you are alerted and given direction on how to protect your identity and stop identity theft.

Don't let a missing birth certificate lead to a stolen identity - visit IdentityTruth.com and know that your identity is safe from theft.