Protecting your identity begins with protecting your privacy. You can stay a step ahead of identity thieves, and save yourself the headache of unsolicited phone calls and junk mail, by placing your number on the Do Not Call List and opting out of mailing lists.
Identity thieves thrive by targeting consumers who do not protect their private information. Even if you believe you are prepared – you don’t provide private information online and keep personal documents secure – you can become a victim. Identity thieves frequently acquire personal information via pre-approved credit card offers and other junk mail sent to homes.
Removing your private information from telemarketer and junk mail lists enables you to take control of your identity by limiting the exposure of your private information. It takes only minutes to complete the following:
- Visit www.donotcall.gov to remove your telephone number(s) from telemarketers’ lists.
- Visit www.optoutprescreen.com to prohibit companies from sending you unsolicited credit and insurance offers.
What are the Do Not Call and junk mail prescreen opt out lists?
The Do Not Call List is a national registry of phone numbers. By law, telemarketers that are not charities or non-profit entities are not allowed to call any person on the list. Both home and cell phone numbers are eligible for inclusion on the Do Not Call List. Numbers become active in the registry within 31 days of submission.
To help limit the amount of junk mail you receive, consumers can use the junk mail prescreen opt out. Adding your address to the junk mail prescreen opt out prohibits companies from sending you unsolicited credit and insurance offers. Consumers who use the prescreen opt out will not receive offers for pre-approved credit cards or any other credit offers. These pre-approved offers often contain private information garnered by various companies.
How opting out will help protect you
Identity thieves use many different techniques to target your personal information. By limiting access to personal information such as your phone number, name and address, you decrease the chances of your personal information being misused. The less you allow your personal information to be exposed, the safer you are.
Additionally, placing your phone number(s) on the Do Not Call List and adding yourself to the prescreen opt out list will limit the amount of direct mailing offers you receive. Identity thieves have been known to dig through victims’ trashcans to find any mail that contains private information. Adding your name to the prescreen opt out list prohibits companies from sending the mail in the first place, keeping your identity from falling in the wrong hands.
How to register
To register your phone number(s) in the National Do Not Call Registry, go to www.donotcall.gov and follow the on-site directions. Once your phone number is registered, you should stop receiving phone calls from commercial companies within 31 days. If the calls persist, consumers can file a complaint on the same website.
To opt out of direct mailing campaigns and limit the amount of junk mail containing your personal information, visit www.optoutprescreen.com. You can opt out of receiving credit offers for five years or permanently. The five-year option can be completed electronically by using the online form provided. To opt out of credit offers permanently, mail in the permanent opt out election form, which is also available on the website.
To learn more about substantially reducing the amount of junk mail you receive and how you can better keep your private information private, visit the PrivacyRights.org website. Remember, the Do Not Call List and junk mail prescreen opt outs are only one step of taking control of your identity. Constantly be alert for disclosure notices and other opt-out opportunities. More and more companies are realizing that privacy safeguards are good business. Never be afraid to ask how your personal information will be used by a company or organization.
ID THEFT RESTORATION
Even if you protect your identity with the most sophisticated tools and best practices, you might still find yourself a victim of identity theft. Without the right help, restoring your credit after an identity theft event can be a long and frustrating process, sometimes dragging on for years. IdentityIQ Fraud Restoration Specialists provide the support you need to restore your credit and get your financial future back on track.
What to do if you think you are a victim of identity theft
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, call IdentityIQ Customer Service toll-free at 877-875-IDIQ(4347). You will be connected with one of our FCRA Certified Fraud Restoration Specialists, who will open a case and help you begin the process of reclaiming your identity. Your specialist will provide personalized, expert consultation to help ensure your financial security, privacy retention and the protection of your rights under state and federal law.
We strive to provide you with the highest level of service – you will have a case manager assigned to guide you through the entire process and answer questions along the way. While no two cases are the same, we use a proven method to determine the steps necessary to reclaim your identity. Some examples of the types of assistance we may provide include:
- Credit report analysis
- Fraud alert and credit freeze consultation
- Police report filing
- Disputing fraudulent accounts with credit reporting agencies, the FTC, the Postal Service, and the Social Security Administration
- Collection agency consultation
- Discovery and consultation on deceased and minor ID theft
- Prevention best practices (avoiding email/phishing and pharming scams)
- Help resolving any additional identity theft issues
With the help of IdentityIQ, you can feel confident your good name is in expert hands.
What to do if you have inaccurate information on your credit report
If you do not recognize information contained on your credit report or monitoring alerts, please call IdentityIQ Customer Service at 877-875-IDIQ(4347) to discuss your concerns. You will be connected with one of our FCRA Certified Credit Specialists who will assist you with assessing the situation and potentially filing a dispute with the credit reporting agencies.