Identity Theft - Think You're Not At Risk?

We live in an information-oriented society. Technology allows us to do business and make transactions literally in a matter of seconds. This abundance of information has given rise to a new crime - identity theft.
In fact, according to a 2003 release from the Federal Trade Commission, approximately 27 million Americans have fallen prey to identity thieves since 1999. Each year that number climbs higher and higher. In 2003 alone, almost 10 million people in the United States reported being victimized by identity bandits.

So what does that mean? Someone has stolen your credit card ? your credit card company can help you with that, right? Well, according to the FTC, almost 60% of identity theft issues don?t pertain to your existing credit card accounts. Identity theft can occur as a result of new lines of credit being opened in your name either through Credit Cards or bank loans, as well as phone/utility fraud and even employment related fraud. Because we are susceptible through so many avenues in our daily life, we are all at risk.

What can you do? Where would you turn if you found yourself in this situation? Would you know where to start to clear your name? Well, now you don?t have to worry about what to do as we have the answer.

As you already know, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. is a pioneer of the legal services industry. With more than 30 years of experience in providing legal rights protection to our members, we have now teamed with Kroll Inc., the world's largest risk consulting company.

For more than 30 years, Kroll has helped companies, government agencies and individuals reduce their exposure to risk and capitalize on business opportunities. Kroll is an operating unit of Marsh Inc., the risk and insurance services subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., the global professional services firm. With offices in more than 60 cities in the United States and abroad, Kroll can operate and restructure businesses; scrutinize accounting practices and financial documents; gather and filter electronic evidence for attorneys; recover lost or damaged data from computers
and servers; conduct in-depth investigations; screen domestic and foreign-born job candidates; protect individuals, and enhance security systems and procedures. Over the last three years, Kroll has developed a unique solution for victims of identity theft. This new service is now available to Pre-Paid Legal members through the IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD benefit.

What does this benefit provide our members?

The Identity Theft Shield gives you easy access to the resources you need to understand your Credit ratings and to fight back if an identity thief threatens your financial standing. This benefit is designed to alert you to suspicious account activity, and to restore any resulting damage to your credit history.

1. Credit Report Through Experian
Make sure your financial records are accurate.
Your credit standing is one of your most important financial assets. It not only affects your ability to get credit, it often dictates the interest rate at which you can borrow. It can also affect your ability to purchase insurance or to find employment. Some insurance companies and prospective employers use your Credit rating to gauge your sense of responsibility.

Experts recommend you review your credit report regularly. The Identity Theft Shield makes it easy. Members are entitled
to an up-to-date credit report from Experian at no additional charge.

Personal Credit Score and Analysis from Experian
Know your credit score . . . and how it affects your ability to borrow.
Your credit score is derived from the information in your credit report. This score is used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness. The higher the number, the better your chance of being approved for the credit you want.
A detailed analysis of your Personal Credit Score will be included with your Credit Report. You can use this analysis to evaluate your current credit standing.

2. Continuous Credit Monitoring Through Experian
Learn of suspicious activity before your credit is ruined.
A professional thief can assume your identity in just a few hours. But it can take years for you to repair your credit standing. Early detection is key to minimizing the damage caused by thieves who steal you name.
With your Identity Theft Shield membership, your credit files will be monitored through Experian daily. Suspicious activity will be brought to your attention, providing you with early detection. You'll receive prompt notice if any new accounts are opened in your name . . . or if negative notations are added to your credit report.

3. Fraud Restoration Service
Get personal assistance and advice from experts.
Any discrepancy in your credit report should be addressed at once. Call our Customer Service Department at the designated Identity Theft Shield number and explain your concerns. If it is identity theft, our fraud investigators will assist you every step of the way.
A Fraud Restoration package with complete and detailed materials, aids, and instructions will be rushed to you.
If you sign a Limited Power of Attorney, you will be entitled to Enhanced Restoration Services. Kroll will work with you to determine the extent of the fraud in your credit and regarding your identity. On your behalf, Kroll will issue fraud alerts to the three major credit repositories, the Federal Trade Commission, the Social Security Administration, and the United States Postal Service. Kroll will work with the bureaus, creditors, and collection agencies to restore your credit accuracy with regard to your identity theft issues. If necessary and reasonable, Kroll will work with law enforcement, the department of motor vehicles, and other organizations to resolve your identity theft issues.

If you decline the Limited Power of Attorney, you will receive Basic Consulting Services. Kroll will work with you to determine the extent of the fraud in your credit and regarding your identity. Kroll will provide you with contact information and procedures for the organizations you will need to work with. Kroll will provide sample letters and forms and be available to you through a toll-free phone number for assistance and advice throughout the process of restoring your identity.

Now, it is important to understand any identity theft that occurred prior to the membership enrollment or any situations relating to a business identity are not covered. Identity Restoration will not apply if the identity theft is the result of a dishonest, criminal, malicious, or fraudulent act you, your spouse, or child participated in, directed, or had knowledge of. Restoration services will not be provided for a preexisting, known stolen identity event. You must be an active, paid member to receive restoration services. Plan benefits do not cover financial losses arising from the identity theft.

Did you know, that on average, $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses to clear their names?
With Pre-Paid Legal's IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD, the cost of combating identity theft is much less. For just $12.95 a month [$9.95 along with the Pre-Paid Legal membership], IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD members have the added security of knowing they have someone to fight the battle for them. And the best thing is, this monthly fee provides benefits to you, the member, and your spouse.

Reports on identity theft are everywhere - television, newspapers, magazines, talk shows, etc. Now that you know this benefit is available, doesn?t it make sense to have this sort of coverage? Imagine the peace of mind you would have
knowing you and your spouse would have access to all of these services if you found yourself to be an identity theft statistic?

Contact, NAOMI GONZALEZ, Independent Associate, to sign up for your Identity Theft membership by calling 866-564-6775. Don?t wait until it is too late - do it today! Visit for more information.
For a full list of disclosures and exclusions, please consult the Identity Theft Shield written material provided by Pre-Paid Legal..

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Loan Modification Primer

What is a Loan Modification? The technical answer is the amendment of the loan to re-amortize or alter the schedule of payments for the remaining balance and/or extend the current term of the loan in order to reduce the monthly payment, the interest rate and/or loan balance allowing the borrower to keep their home.

Today's Economy ? Because of the current economy, many families can no longer afford their homes and are losing them to foreclosure. The foreclosure rate in many states is reaching record numbers. The more foreclosures there are, the more downward pressure is put on home values. When there is a declining real estate market, mortgage lenders lose money. In many cases they can lose thousands of dollars on each home they have to take back in foreclosure. When the number of foreclosures is at a record number, it is easy to see why there are many banks going out of business.

The Feds ? The Federal Government has made many announcements recently about how they will help homeowners in an effort to slow down the foreclosure rate. It seems as though the more announcements they make and the more bail out bills they pass, homeowners get more confused. I receive calls every week from homeowners that are so confused with their options that they think the best option is to just walk away from their home and do nothing.

Options ? Foreclosure, Short Sale, or Loan Modification are the main options available to homeowners today that are unable to make their house payments. Foreclosure and Short Sale will have a dramatically negative impact on a credit score. A loan modification will not have a negative impact on a credit score. In addition to being the best option to preserve credit scores, Loan Modifications will help stabilize real estate values.

Mortgage Lenders ? Contrary to many beliefs, lenders do not want to take homes back in foreclosure. They want to work with the homeowner to see if there is a viable option to help them keep their home. They are willing to reduce interest rates, extend the term of the loan and in many cases forgive any past due payments in order to help the homeowner make their home loan payment fit their current circumstance.

Hardship ? The key to a loan modification is having a financial hardship. Hardships come with many different faces. There are two different types of financial hardships. One type is a reduction in income. The other type of hardship is an increase in monthly expenses. It doesn?t matter which type of financial hardship the homeowner may have, both are considered acceptable by most lenders.

Examples ? Here are a few examples of a financial hardship: A homeowner might have a reduction in pay because of a divorce, lay-off, reduction in commission or an illness. A homeowner who was out of work for any length of time and had to live on charge cards for a while, causing an increase in their monthly payments can also be an acceptable hardship to many lenders. A homeowner may simply have an adjustable rate mortgage that will be adjusting to a payment they can no longer afford.

Loan Modification or Short Sale ? Did you know that less than 10% of homes listed for sale as a short sale are actually sold? The rest of the homes go to foreclosure. Even if a homeowner is fortunate enough to sell their home on a short sale, it could have a devastating impact on their credit score. A Loan Modification does not have the same negative impact on credit scores. A short sale can cause home values to drop because the home is being sold for less than what is owed to the bank. When a loan is modified the value of the home is not reduced, only the monthly payment is reduced. As more people start to modify their loan instead of short selling, home values will begin to stabilize.

The Right Answer- There are many different options available today. Contact a professional to discuss which option is the best for you.

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What Makes Up Your Credit Score

Ever wonders what happens when a potential lender requests your credit score? First, they send a request to a credit bureau, and they receive a report. This report will include:
* Your name * Your Social Security number * Your address (and any previous addresses) * Your current and past loan information * Your public record information (court judgments, bankruptcies, liens) * A list of other companies who have reviewed your credit. * Your 3 digit credit score

While some of this information is self explanatory, some of the other aspects, especially your credit score, are a bit of a mystery to most consumers. Few people know their credit score or understand how it is calculated. Additionally, most people are unclear about how their behavior can affect their scores.

The majority of people understand the basics, like failing to make a payment will make your score go down, but there are a number of complexities that trip up the average consumer. If you pay your debts on time, don?t carry too much debt on any one card, don?t close older accounts unless absolutely necessary and only apply for new credit when you have to you will generally be in good shape. However, it is important to keep yourself informed so you can maintain a credit score that accurately reflects your consumer status.

Your credit score is determined by an algorithm developed by the Fair Issue Corporation (hence its other name of FICO score). Since its inception, three corporations, called ?credit bureaus? specialize in collecting and reporting on financial histories. Those three companies are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. While, the exact formula used to calculate your credit score is a tightly guarded industry secret, these companies provide general guidelines about financial behavior that can affect your credit score. When calculating your score, the basic formula includes:

35 percent: History of on-time or late payments of credit.

30 percent: Available credit on your open Credit Cards

15 percent: The age of your lines of credit (old = good)

10 percent: How often you apply for new credit.

10 percent: Variable factors, such as the types of open credit lines you have

Lenders use your credit report in order to judge your reliability as a loan candidate. Your credit report indicates your ability to handle debt responsibly and will help banks decide if you are a desirable loan customer. A high credit score can help you lock in low APR rates or secure special deals on loans. A bad credit report may prevent you from securing loans and can damage your ability to buy a car, open a credit card or rent a home. A history of inability to manage your credit successfully will make lenders uncomfortable about trusting you with additional funds in the future.

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report once a year, an offer you should take advantage of. When you do receive your credit report, check to ensure the figures are accurate and act quickly correct any mistakes. This may include any clerical errors, identity theft issues or incorrect information. If your credit score is low, you should begin working on a financial rehabilitation plan, either on your own or with a certified debt councilor, to begin correcting your bad debt habits.

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