My boss just stopped by and alerted me to something called LifeLock, which is an identity theft protection service. Essentially this service sets fraud alerts on all three major credit reporting agencies and renews them every 90 days. That way anytime anyone attempts to do something (like get a new car, credit card application, mortgage application, etc) on your credit the company being applied to is alerted and is asked to take special care. It basically locks your credit for your use only. They also ask that your name is removed from pre-approved credit card offers as this is one of the most widely abused ways to steal your identity. They also provide a yearly credit report for free AND their service is protected for up to $1 million, which means if your identity is stolen they will pay for legal fees, accountants, etc. to get your good name back.
This service costs $10 per month for individuals and they also offer business plans that cover all of a businesses employees, customers, partners, etc. I have done a bit of research, nothing too extensive, and from what I have seen it appears to be a pretty good deal. Identity theft is a huge issue and it is especially worrying for those looking to buy real estate since they want to make sure their credit is in good shape and protected. IMO everyone should look into this for themselves and as something they recommend to their clients as a way to protect themselves.
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