by: Charlie Essmeier
Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act several years ago in an attempt to smooth out some problems in the credit reporting industry. The best known provision of this Act is one that permits Americans to receive a free copy of their credit reports from each of the three main credit bureaus once per year. So far, this provision of the Act has been a success. A lesser-known provision of the legislation is one that is intended to protect active duty military personnel from being victimized by identity theft while they are out of the country.
Identity theft is a crime committed by someone who obtains personal information from a victim and then uses that information to obtain loans or credit in the victim?s name. While the thief is making off with the money, goods, or services, the victim is left with the bills. Being a victim of identity theft can be difficult for anyone, as it often takes several years to undo the damage done to the victim?s credit report. Identity theft can be even more difficult if the victim is an active duty soldier serving outside the United States. The average victim of identity theft takes nearly a year to discover the crime; it will undoubtedly take even longer if the victim is outside of the country. The amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows active duty personnel who are away from their main duty stations to place an ?active duty alert? on their credit reports. The presence of this alert requires any creditor to verify the identity of the borrower prior to granting credit in his or her name. Since it isn?t usually possible to contact a soldier who is outside the country, this effectively freezes the credit report of the individual until they return from overseas service, thus protecting them from identity theft.
If you are serving the country in a military capacity, away from your active duty station, you may enact an ?active duty alert? by contacting one of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Trans Union, or Equifax. It is only necessary to contact one company; that company will inform the other two. At that time, you may also designate a personal representative who will act on your behalf while you are away. This alert is active for one year, and may be renewed.
Military personnel who are serving the United States in a time of war have enough to worry about without having to be concerned about identity theft. The Fair Credit Reporting Act leaves them with one less thing to worry about.
About The Author
© Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and http://www.homeequityhelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity lending.
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The Secret to Saving 14% at the Gas Pump!
The Secret to Saving 14% at the Gas Pump!
by: Scott Siegel
If you know the smart way to purchase your gas you can save a considerable amount of money. The following strategies could save you 4 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent or even 14 percent of your gas costs.
In this article you will learn the secret to using two strategies that together should provide you with a significant discount on your gas costs.
There are a number of alternatives that will result in savings. Among the best is the use of credit cards that offer rebates. By using the right cards you can lower your costs without having to change your driving habits or do any special maintanance on your car.
Many gas companies offer credit cards that pay rebates on gas purchases. The typical card will rebate you 10% on your gas purchases for the first two or three months and then rebate you 5% on your gas purchases thereafter.
For example currently Hess Oil has a credit...
The Secret to Saving 14% at the Gas Pump!
Credit repair > The Secret to Saving 14% at the Gas Pump!
How Many Credit Cards Do I Need?
How Many Credit Cards Do I Need?
by: Chris McElroy and Jennifer Tarzian
Using a credit card has become a very common way for a family to pay for the items it needs and wants. According to CardWeb.com, a firm that tracks the credit industry, the typical American family of four carries about $8,100 in installment debt?most of it in credit cards. At 18% interest, that costs them nearly $1,500 a year or $125 a month they can?t spend or save for anything else.
How many credit cards do you currently have?
? Make a list of all of your bank cards, travel and entertainment cards, department store cards and gas cards. Are you surprised at how many you actually have?
? Now list beside each one, who issued the credit card.
? Now list your credit limit next to each credit card.
? Now list your credit debt associated with each credit card.
? Is your total debt more than 25% of your total...
How Many Credit Cards Do I Need?
Credit repair > How Many Credit Cards Do I Need?
How To Avoid Bankruptcy & Get Out Of Debt Faster Using Debt Negotiation!
How To Avoid Bankruptcy & Get Out Of Debt Faster Using Debt Negotiation!
by: Kris Bickell
Has credit card debt got you thinking about bankruptcy?
You?re not the only one these days. Even with the new bankruptcy laws, credit card debt continues to climb. Unfortunately for most of us, our paychecks don?t climb as quickly.
If you?re on the verge of bankruptcy, you may have another alternative.
Debt negotiation is a process where you negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debts at a reduced amount ? for example, if you owe $12,000, you can negotiation a payoff of $5,000. The benefit for the creditor is that they get more money than they may have through bankruptcy, and they get the money sooner. The benefit for you is obvious ? you get out of debt faster, and save lots of money in interest.
Where do you get the money to pay off the debt?
Take the money you would have normally used to pay your credit card bills, put...
How To Avoid Bankruptcy & Get Out Of Debt Faster Using Debt Negotiation!
Credit repair > How To Avoid Bankruptcy & Get Out Of Debt Faster Using Debt Negotiation!
Home Improvement Projects On A Budget
Home Improvement Projects On A Budget
by: Lee Dobbins
Every year thousands of home owners do major renovations on their house in order to improve the value as well as enjoy their improvements.
Some home improvements are very costly and many do not have a good return for the money spent.
If you want to improve your home and up the value at the same time there are 3 areas you can focus on that make the most difference.
These projects can add value to your home, make it more enjoyable and don?t cost a lot of money either!
One key area in your home is the entrance.
It?s the first thing that people see when they enter and the first place you step into when you come home.
Spicing up your entrance goes for the outside as well as the inside.
If you have a porch, add a nice planter and some lush vibrant plants.
How about a nice wicker chair and table?
You can search second...
Credit repair > Home Improvement Projects On A Budget
Credit Cards Are Like Loans
Credit Cards Are Like Loans
by: Mark Lambie
Credit cards! If you're like most people, you probably love them some times and hate them other times. They can be a great way to manage your finances and they can be a terrible bill to get every month.
But credit cards aren't all bad. If we could live our lives without them, we would. But we can't. The world is simply not built that way anymore. More and more often, companies require credit cards as the best way to receive payment or security, rather than cash or checks.
But a credit card is just a loan. Few people realize it as such, but that's all it is: Simply a loan that you can use if you want, but you don't always use. A credit card is like a constant line of credit that is represented by the piece of plastic you carry in your wallet or purse. It says to the shop owner that someone has checked you out and deemed you worthy to receive a certain amount of credit line in order purchase the...
Credit Cards Are Like Loans
Credit repair > Credit Cards Are Like Loans
Natural Breast Augmentation
Natural Breast Augmentation
by: Dr Kourosh Tavakoli
Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Kourosh Tavakoli explains the key elements to a natural looking breast augmentation.
The number of breast enlargement procedures is increasing, and the demand for natural-looking breasts is paramount. A well-augmented breast has a natural fullness, with gentle sloping of f the chest wall. There should be natural cleavage without webbing between the breasts and only a certain amount...
Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty Natural Breast Augmentation Credit repair projection tv
Credit repair > Natural Breast Augmentation
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Bankruptcy Means Testing Under the New Bankruptcy Law
Bankruptcy Means Testing Under the New Bankruptcy Law
by: Jameson Joyce
The rush to file bankruptcy ahead of the new bankruptcy law over. Now what? Did you miss the boat if you didn't file bankruptcy before the new law went into effect?
Absolutely not. Although the new bankruptcy law has made it much more difficult to file bankruptcy, most attorneys are finding out that the new bankruptcy law is manageable and filings are on the rise.
One of the most...
Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty
Credit repair > Bankruptcy Means Testing Under the New Bankruptcy Law
Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty Credit repair party
Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty
florist Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty