When it comes to identity theft, anyone can be a victim. But the odds are greater if you are a military member since you are always on the move when you receive your PCS orders.
When a military member makes a PCS move to San Antonio or anywhere else in the world, they are most probably going to give away their personal information to apply for new accounts or even for medical check-ups or applying for a new driver’s license. They will have to fill out paperwork and forms asking for their Social Security number, driver’s license number, contact information, and date of birth. Each time the military member moves, they leave a trail of personal and identifying information in each place they move to, making them easy target for identity theft.
Some people think identity theft only happens online, but this is not so. Here are some of the signs that you are a victim of this crime:
- getting unauthorized charges on your credit card
- companies or collection agencies calling you regarding purchases you never made
- bills being mailed to you for accounts you did not open
- letters of denial from credit companies that you did not seek credit from
- bills and bank statements not arriving in your mail
- your credit card being denied authorization even if your card is in good standing
There is another way you can prevent identity theft happening to you or your family and this is through monitoring your credit report annually.
By law, the three major credit bureaus are required to give individuals a free credit report. Take note, though that they do not send it automatically so you have to request one from them.
The three major credit bureaus have formed a centralized way to contact them through the website AnnualCreditReport.com or through the phone number 1-877-322-8228.
Identity theft can happen anytime and anywhere, not just online, so make sure you vigilantly monitor your credit report annually or after your PCS move to San Antonio.
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