Credit Reports/Identify Fraud Protection

[lou100]

I've been looking through various different comapnies who offer identity fraud protection.  There's so much different stuff out there - can anybody recommend a company?  One that they've used and not had problems with.  Many Thanks

[Oneeyedvic]

I don't understand what you are looking for - is it a crdeit card, an insurance policy, a copy of your credit report or what? Post back and I will reply.

[Loosehead]

The best ID fraud protection you can get is a decent shredder and shred everything with any info about you that you want to chuck out. Most Id fraud starts with the victims waste bin.

There are of course other ways and I suppoise it was only a matter of time before someone offerred some sort of insurance. The thing is that if you take all the precautions and are still a victim then it will not be seen as your fault so essentially you would be paying for something you already have. Also any policy you do take out will have to be so complex that the company concerned will almost certainly welsh on paying you anyway. 

[lou100]

Thanks for the replies.  What I've been looking at is fraud identity protection.  I noticed on some websites where you can obtain your credit rating/report that they actually offer protection for roughly �40 a year.   This covers things as alerting you if somebody applies for credit in your name or at your address - and also should the worst happen they pay legal fees and also make sure you dont loose out money wise.  I am always careful to shred personal docs I was just wondering I suppose if this cover is worth having, or is it a bit of a rip off?  thanks again..

[Oneeyedvic]

Personally speaking I think it is a rip off.

If you are a victim, it will be a nightmare for around 6 months while everything gets sorted. As with most types of fraud, you will not be liable if it is not your fault. Your credit rating will be terrible whilst they sort out the mess, but when it is sorted will return to normal.

I did subscribe to experians version of what you describe - it worked okay. I got emails letting me know when ever I was searched. At the time ot cost me �49.99. It was money well spent as I was applying for a mortgage and setting up a business so I wanted to know who had searched me and when (and one major institution searched me 18 times on one mortgage application - I managed to get them taken off very quickly).

I did have a major falling out with creditexpert though when I moved home. I sent of a copy of my driving licence and original utility bill for them in my new address. I then got a letter sent back saying that this was not sufficient details and I would need to send something else like an original bank statement.

The major problem though was that they sent those documents to my previous address!

luckily, the postman knew us and we only moved a few doors down, so I got the letter, but it amazed me that a company designed to stop id fraud could send original documents to an address I informed them that i didn't live at. Anyway, I don't use them anymore.

[ronie95]

One thing you want to consider when looking for the best company to protect you is whether or not they provide restoration for you. Unfortunately, a good shredder is not the best solution because a lot of ID theft occurs within companies such as Visa and Lexus Nexus to name a few. Your information can be intercepted across the internet before it gets to its destination especially if you�re purchasing something. What I'm trying to say is that the Federal Trade Commission says it�s not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when".
I am currently researching this crime as grad. student in the area of applied math/statistics and have come across an excellent company. This is the only company that does restoration and monitors more than just your credit. The United States Government has used this company for many federal cases.

[ronie95]

One thing you want to consider when looking for the best company to protect you is whether or not they provide restoration for you. Unfortunately, a good shredder is not the best solution because a lot of ID theft occurs within companies such as Visa and Lexus Nexus to name a few. Your information can be intercepted across the internet before it gets to its destination especially if you�re purchasing something. What I'm trying to say is that the Federal Trade Commission says it�s not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when".
I am currently researching this crime as grad. student in the area of applied math/statistics and have come across an excellent company. This is the only company that does restoration and monitors more than just your credit. The United States Government has used this company for many federal cases.