ID Theft, Protection, And Restoration

Who is to blame if your identity is misused? Do you have any recourse against where or how the thief obtained your identity in the first place? Yes, you do!

When an organization who you have given your PII (personal identifying information; such as social security number, birth date, mother’s maiden name, account numbers, and the list goes on…) to is liable if they have not taken “reasonable steps” to protect your information by the Federal Trade Commission.

This posting is the first in a series that will pertain to laws that any and all organizations must comply with for protecting personal identifying information. If you happen to be responsible for an organization, this series will be important information on what you must do to address Federal Trade Commission compliance issues.

If you are an individual, this series will inform you as to what you can expect from an organization you have entrusted to maintain your Personal Identifying Information in order for you to do business with them. You may be an employee, customer, sub-contractor, or vendor. We will cover how an individual can minimize their liability for fraudulent transactions and how the organization can do the same. Your questions are welcomed as we address these responsibilities on each side of an identity theft incident. So let’s get started…

The law states that if an individual brings notice to an organization that a fraudulent transaction occurred within two business days, the maximum liability they can be held for is $50.00 If the fraudulent transaction is reported to the organization after two days but before 60 days, their maximum liability is $500. If the fraudulent transaction is reported to the organization after 60 days, the organization has full right to expect payment in full from the victim as their statutory limit has expired.

Lesson for the individual: When you receive a statement in the mail from any organization, you must review it immediately for any fraudulent transactions. Failing to do so may mean you will have to honor the transaction in full after 60 days. For more information on how to file an identity theft affidavit see our website for the procedure you must file to make a claim if identity theft.

Lesson for the organization: You must report transactions to your customer on a regular basis or the statutory clock will not start. For more information on how to handle a fraudulent identity theft claim made by an individual see our website for the procedure you must follow to process such a claim. (You will find how to assist victims about half-way down the page.)

In the next part of this series I will cover some examples that victims have reported. If you have any questions in the meantime or examples of your own, please post a reply and I will be sure to address your contribution.

Bob Listerman, CPA, CITRMS
(Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist)

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 How To Choose ID Theft Services: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Waiting for Identity Theft to slap you upside the head? 

If you’re an ID Theft victim without protection, detection, and restoration of your identity, you probably feel like the penguin who got slapped. If you use Credit Monitoring and are relying on that type of company, you’ll most likely have the same result as the penguin.

However, choosing a service to be there for you from the time your identity is detected and determined stolen through the time your identity has been restored, your entire world can go upside down. It’s all about choices.

Read the fine print of the terms and conditions, services, and guarantee.  It will be  enough to make your head spin and leave you cross-eyed, but it’s unfortunately a necessary evil to prevent a disaster later. 

When you listen to our podcast, you’ll know exactly what to look for and why.   Feel free to print out the pdf so you’ll know what questions to have answered before you make this important decision. 

Your Identity Defender

Nancy Dewitz is co-founder of BTR-Security with personal Identity Theft solutions tailored to consumers’ specific needs.  She and her partner Robert Listerman are authors of the ebook “The Many Faces of Identity Theft.” They are consumer advocates and creators of individualized Identity Protection programs that give you and your family the options needed to keep your life intact.

If you have an Identity Theft story or experience that you’d like to share and become part of our upcoming book, please let us know.  We’d love to hear all about it.

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 ID Theft: How Can You Protect Yourself? : Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With individuals of all different types of values coming at you from all over the globe to invade your privacy and steal your identity including your repuation, assets, and maybe your inheritance, how can you protect yourself from Identity Theft? 

While my partner and I believe that you should use Credit Monitoring, it simply is not enough to protect you from all forms of Identity Theft as detailed in our free report.  So have a listen to see if your protection or your future plan for protection should include. 

In our podcast (access beneath signature), you will get an insider’s peak at:

1.  What parts of my identity should be monitored?

2.  How often should my identity be monitored?

3.  How can I monitor my entire identity?

4.  How can I restore my identity when the worst happens?

Download a transcript of this call to read and pass onto the people you care most about protecting from Identity Theft. You’ll be glad you did because all the advertising in existence seems to only be promoting Credit Monitoring.  Why lessen the migraine when you can eliminate it? 

Your Identity Defender,
Nancy Dewitz

Nancy Dewitz is co-founder of BTR Security with personal Identity Theft solutions tailored to consumers’ specific needs.  She and her partner Robert Listerman are authors of the ebook “The Many Faces of Identity Theft.” They are consumer advocates and creators of individualized Identity Protection programs for you and your family. 

If you have a story that you’d like to share and become part of our upcoming book, please share that with us.  We’d love to hear it. 

Play Now:

 What's Wrong With Credit Monitoring (Podcast 3 of 5): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You see the ads everywhere on tv, little Tommy Tucker singing for his supper at a restaurant because he was a victim of Identity Theft a/k/a credit fraud.  He didn’t have a Credit Monitoring service.  Sounds like credit monitoring is the answer to your prayers, or is it?  What’s wrong with Credit Monitoring, and how good is at protecting you from Identity Theft? 

Well, Credit Monitoring has its benefits, but inherent weaknesses of this service translate to the fact that it does not help protect you from non credit-related forms of Identity Theft which just happens to account for a vast majority of all ID Theft. I don’t and won’t apologize for being hopping mad about the misleading nature of Credit Monitoring commercials.  The  American consumer is being totally misled in thinking by omitting all the facts because these companies receive excessive gross profits for the small amount of work they do.  Truth-in-advertising has always been a nebulous area given free speech and all.  

Companies advertising Credit Monitoring all tread a very fine ethical line.  It’s what they don’t tell you that makes me angrier than a wet hen.  It’s about time someone told you the truth. 

I believe that in our fast-paced lifestyles, we choose to believe what we see in media advertising because most of us don’t have to time to do research.  I know I would like to assume that when I hear a commercial, just like when I hear a teenager tell me where they were last night, that I’m hearing the whole truth.  I don’t see it happening that way. 

In the not-too-distant future, protecting yourself from Identity Theft will be as necessary as having homeowner’s insurance or medical insurance.  You don’t think your house will burn down or you’ll need treatment for a dreaded disease, but if either of those things happen, wouldn’t it be great to be covered? 

We all work hard, no matter how much or how little we have, and it’s our right to keep what we have without worrying about someone anonymously taking what we have and making our lives a living hell in the process.  So until I see a change in commercials and web advertising, I’ll stay on my soapbox and keep assuming the role of your Identity Advocate and urge you to check out all the information you can on this site. 

A transcript of this podcast is available for download.  You can find the podcast box under my signature.  (I’ll get this blogging thing figured out someday, but why hold up getting this vital info to you.) 

In the meantime, if you’ve been a victim of identity theft, we’d love to hear your story, the good, bad, and the ugly.  If you don’t want to be a victim or are in throes of ID Theft, please contact us or request our Free Report, The Many Faces of Identity Theft.  Our business briefing will be available to you soon so you can get the solution to a very frustrating problem. 

Your ID Theft Protection and Restoration Specialist,
Nancy Dewitz 

Nancy Dewitz is co-founder of BTR Security with personal Identity Theft solutions tailored to consumers’ specific needs.  She and her partner Robert Listerman are authors of the hit ebook “The Many Faces of Identity Theft.” They are consumer advocates and creators of individualized Identity Protection programs for you and your family. 

Play Now:

 ID Theft - Part 2 - How Identity Theft Happens: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With all the commercials you see in the media, you are led to believe that you can prevent Identity Theft.  Come take a listen and find out how ID Theft happens and see if what you’re told really matches up with the truth.

Learn how to protect yourself by listening to insider info covered in the podcast, and print out  “Identity Theft - Part 2 - How Identity Theft Happens” PDF Transcript.

Your Identity Theft Specialist,
Nancy Dewitz

BTR-Security

Nancy Dewitz is co-founder of BTR-Security with personal Identity Theft solutions tailored to consumers’ specific needs.  She and her partner Robert Listerman are authors of the hit ebook “The Many Faces of Identity Theft.” They are consumer advocates and creators of individualized Identity Protection programs for you and your family.