A few years ago, I bought an investment property in California. I did good. I lived in Arizona at the time and would travel back and forth. I wanted to set up cable television in California and began searching for the best price. One of the cable companies I contacted was Frontier. The woman on the other side of the phone was black. I could tell by her speaking style and voice. She asked me all my personal information including my social security number. I ended up not using Frontier choosing another cable company. Was I dumb because low and behold at some point in the near future I pull my credit report and there is a $500. charge by Frontier cable, I didn’t authorize.
Until I experienced identity theft, which is an act of fraud, I had no idea how seriously dumb it is to ever give my social security number to anyone. It is extremely difficult to get anything invalid off of a credit report. It takes forever, so much work, and so frustrating.
I’m not a credit report. I’m not a fico score. Don’t judge me by a fico score. We do have to keep an eye on our credit report for identity theft, nonetheless. No one wants to get scammed, do they? Never give your social security number or your parent’s names, your place of birth or anything when in doubt where you can be traced and a scammer can steal your identity. Say no. Keep an eye on your bank statements too. I recently ordered something online and saw the purchase on my bank statement, but then recently my bank texted me they denied a charge due to their concern of fraud. It was. I had to have my debit card cancelled and another card sent. It’s frustrating and inconvenient. Be cautious. Be aware. Today, there is so much fraud the police cannot keep up with it. Don’t let it happen to you. Be safe.
Always Christian with love from Anne Fisher Foundation.