In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, change service providers for your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these everyday transactions a second thought. But an identity thief does.

Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and thousands of dollars – cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration are among the feelings victims experience as they navigate the process of rescuing their identity.

Working with InCreditable Advisors of Indiana, has provided identity theft and credit restoration services to help consumers remedy the effects of an identity theft. At InCreditable Advisors we will describe the necessary steps to take, your legal rights, how to handle specific problems you may encounter on the way to clearing your name, and what to watch for in the future.

How Identity Theft Occurs

I first was notified that someone had used my Social Security number for their taxes in February 2010. I also found out that this person opened a checking account, cable and utility accounts and a cell phone account in my name. I’m still trying to clear up everything and just received my income tax refund after waiting four to five months. Trying to work and get all this cleared up is very stressful.

From a consumer’s complaint in July 2010

methods to gain access to your data.

How Identity Thieves Get Your Personal Information

• They get information from businesses or other institutions by:

1. stealing records or information while they’re on the job
2. bribing an employee who has access to these records
3. hacking these records
4. conning information out of employees

• They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks, and tax information.
• They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a practice known as “dumpster diving.”
• They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer’s authorized access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report.
• They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data storage device in a practice known as “skimming.” They may swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may enter or swipe your card.
• They may steal your wallet or purse.
• They may steal personal information they find in your home.
• They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as “phishing” online, or “pretexting” by phone.

If you find yourself in anyone of these predicaments let InCreditable Advisors of Plainfield, Indiana help you with the steps to take, to handle specific problems you may encounter on the way to clearing your name, and what to watch for in the future. InCreditable Advisors services the following areas Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Plainfield, Greenwood and the Indianapolis, Indiana area. Let our 30 plus years of experience go to work for you! Call us today at 317.202.1297 for a consultation with one of our friendly credit advisers.