The Lingering Effects of Identity Theft

If you have recently been the victim of identity theft, there is good news:  You are not alone.  An estimated 10 million people begin this journey every year, a journey that would put Odysseus to the test.  Once this crime happens to you, prepare to gather all your faculties and patience, your going to need it in the years ahead. 

It typically takes between one to two years to get your credit straightened out.   During this time, you will most likely be unable to secure any loans, and you will undoubtedly field numerous calls from would be creditors.  Take copious notes from everyone you contact during this process, and once again take heart, there are millions of people sharing your experience.

Want justice, compensation or vengeance.  Most victims just settle for getting their lives back like they were before the incident.  White collar crimes like this are rarely prosecuted, and even if every person that committed these crimes was caught, the backlog of cases would most likely prevent you from receiving justice in your lifetime. 

It is always easier to learn from other peoples mistakes.  If you have not yet been a victim of identity theft, take every precaution you can:

1. Refrain from handing your credit cards out at every fast food restaurant and every store that you frequent.  Ever use of your credit card is a potential for fraud.

2. Do not answer any emails that ask for private information, and make sure that you have spyware prevention installed on your computer.

3. Do not throw anything away with private information without completely destroying it.  This means using pc file shredders to completely erase your computer hard drive, shredding your cd and dvd disks, and utilizing a home paper shredder to properly destroy all your confidential papers.

Identity theft is a lingering problem.  The great news is that it is preventable, and if it happens to you, you are not alone.