1. Last month the largest case of identity theft to date was reported. One identity theft ring succeeded in stealing the personal information of over 40 million people. If that news alone isn’t enough to cause panic, a report that shortly followed might be. The Identity Theft Resource Center, a non-profit group based out of San Diego, CA, recently reported that as of August 22, the first eight months of this year boasted more security and data breaches than all of 2007 combined.
2. By 9:30 am on August 22 there had been 449 reported cases of data breaches in 2008. The 2007 total for January-December totaled only 446. With a little over four months left in the year this could signify that id theft is getting worse and not better despite an increased public awareness of the crime. The Identity Theft Resource Center also suspects that this new number is not exactly accurate due to variables like under reporting of data breaches and incidents that involve multiple businesses being reported as a single incident. In reality, the number of data and security breaches for the year could be much higher.
3. Currently, this report indicates that 22 million identities have been compromised in 2008, but the Identity Theft Resource Center calls this number “grossly incomplete” because in 40% of the documented cases the number of compromised identities was not reported. So, the only factual truth it is safe to conclude is that more identities have been compromised this year than ever before.
4. The nature of the breaches ranged from dishonest employees stealing employee or client data, to lost or stolen laptops and even computer software or technology systems that allowed thieves to steal other people’s information. The variety of agencies and companies affected was even more diverse.
5. Banks, hospitals, high schools and colleges, gas stations, retail outlets, airlines and government and military offices have all been compromised. From hardware stores to gas pumps, anywhere you may have swiped your card could have easily been a target. Or anywhere you may have sought medical attention or applied for school for that matter. If this report teaches us anything it’s simply that your personal information is no longer safe anywhere.

Medical Identity Theft :

1. Although medical identity theft is the least talked about form of identity fraud, it is one of the most potentially harmful because it is more difficult to resolve than other forms of identity theft and may put your health—and not just your finances—at risk. There are primarily three forms of medical identity fraud, each posing its own unique challenges and threats.
2.  Surgeries 
3. Some identity thieves will strategically admit themselves to a hospital for a necessary surgery using a stolen name and social security number. In this case, a medical file is created at a particular hospital in the name of the identity theft victim, but containing the medical ailments and history of the thief. The thief then proceeds to have the surgery and follow up treatments necessary and then skips out on paying the bill. Since a false address is usually given, these unpaid accounts usually end up in collections creating a negative mark on the identity theft victim’s credit report. Only then, do victims usually become aware that any theft occurred.

    

4. This presents multiple problems because there is no straightforward process for amending medical records like there is for amending credit reports. The first priority of any purported victim of medical identity theft should be removing all information that could potentially affect your health treatment. Only after that is resolved should a victim begin working toward resolving issues that could cause a rate up in insurance premiums or a decline when seeking new medical insurance.

    

5. If, by chance, the fraudulent information about your health history, allergies or past health treatments wound up in the hands of a doctor treating you it could have fatal ramifications. So, in the event you are ever victimized by medical identity theft, make sure you prioritize accordingly.
6.  Prescriptions 
7. Medical identity thieves have also been known to use someone else’s name and social security number to obtain pricy prescriptions they otherwise couldn’t afford. Much like in the case of surgeries, having wrong prescription information linked to your medical records could be potentially harmful to your health. This information is less likely to appear on your credit report unless the thief also uses a stolen or new credit card account in your name to pay for the purchases. That makes fraudulent prescriptions issued in your name even harder to detect.

       Driver’s License Theft :

 

There are a number of purposes’ for someone to steal your identity to use to get a license or photo ID card.  It could be an illegal immigrant who needs validation of residency or someone who wants to sell false IDs for others on the black market.  Whatever the case may be, these are the steps to take to regain your identity.


 

1. People who have had their identities stolen can spend years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the nightmare that these callous criminals have made of the victim's good name and credit record.

    

    

    

2. It takes the average victim a year to realize that their identity has been stolen. Victims have been known to lose their jobs, be refused loans, education, or housing. Some people have even reported being arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

    

    

    

3. Criminals have found many methods to steal the identities of innocent people. Advances in technology constantly introduce new methods for criminals to steal identities.

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4. Safe-Guard Identity Theft Protection helps keep your identity YOURS.

   Facts:
   · Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in the United States for the past three years.
   · An estimated 15 million Americans will be victims this year alone.

   We are experiencing a new kind of crime. Thieves today don’t just hold you up, break into your house or steal your car… they steal your identity. Now you have a way to fight back. Safe-Guard’s Identity Theft provides various related services including personal fraud protection, loss recovery and education.

   Safe-Guard Products specializes in personalized identity theft recovery that will help you get your life back together if you become a victim of this rampant, dangerous crime.

   Safe-Guard’s Identity Theft Protection is available on automobile, RV/trailer, marine and powersport vehicles. For more information on Idenity Theft Protection or any of the programs offered by  or Safe-Guard Products, please contact us.    

5.       

   Identity Theft Protection

   Confidential Dealer Rate Schedule

   Rate Schedule

   Plan             12 months            24 – 60 months

   Individual         $35                           $140

   Family              $40                           $150

   Terms & Coverage:

   • Up to 5 years of coverage

   • Available for individuals and families

   • Non-cancellable

   • Non-transferrable

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