Home : Blogs : Sandy Shores - Melbourne FL Real Estate ,Realtor®, M & M Real Estate Inc. : Melbourne FL & Palm Bay FL Real Estate, Brevard County Real Estate & Investing

Landlord Steals Tenant's Identity and Ruins His Credit...What?

Today we are hearing that identity theft is on the rise. Yesterday I read an article in our local paper about a landlord and prior tenant that had a dispute over $200 in back rent. The prior tenant alleges that his previous landlord took his credit and personal information and posted it on a subscriber list of companies that sell all types of electronics.

According to the tenant, within months his credit score fell from 700 to down below 500 due to the dozens and dozens of companies checking his credit.

Identity theft is on the rise. I have even read that identities are being stolen from people under 18 years old.

To protect yourself from Identity Theft:

1 - Pay only with cash or credit card. Do not carry more than 1 or 2 credit cards with you at all times. Leave your checkbook at home.

2 - Leave your social security card at home.

3- Shred every single thing that comes through your mailbox that has your name or information on it, that you don't want or need. Cross cut paper shredders are best.

4- Do not put outgoing mail in your home mailbox, unless it is a locked box. Thieves can and do steal outgoing bills out of boxes and take the check and 'wash' the ink off of them, only to reuse them.

AND, do not leave incoming mail in your mailbox for any period of time, especially overnight.

Did you ever take time to consider that those catalogs that come to your house with your name preprinted on the outside also have your personal information, including an account number they have provided you preprinted on an inside page where you place your order? Shred those immediately!

5 - Pull a copy of your FREE Annual Credit Report every year. And go over it with a fine tooth comb. Make sure everything is in proper order. You are allowed one free report from all the major reporting agencies Experian, Equifax and Transunion per year.

This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.

South Brevard County, Florida Space Coast.

Let me Sandy Shores Melbourne FL Realtor that for you

Posted by Sandy Shores - Melbourne FL Real Estate ,Realtor®, M & M Real Estate Inc. on 12/11/2008 11:08 AM

Comments (32)

Identity Theft in the Mortgage / Finance Channel

identity theft is on the rise, free annual credit report, brevard county real estate, melbourne real estate

Originally posted at: Melbourne Real Estate News, Brevard County FL Real Estate by Sandy Shores REALTOR® : Landlord Steals Tenant's Identity and Ruins His Credit...What?

Generate short URL

This post has been included in Florida Real Estate News Brevard County, FL Real Estate News Melbourne, FL Real Estate News
Post is included in group: All Things Florida
Post is included in group: Bright Ideas
Post is included in group: florida realestate
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: Realtors®

32 Comments on Landlord Steals Tenant's Identity and Ruins His Credit...What?

DEC

2008

Identity theft is a scary subject I am hearing more and more about lately, although I know it's been a problem for awhile. I try to be careful but it's amazing how 'creative' identity thefters are with how they gain access to the information! Thanks for sharing!

Sandy, I've experienced identity theft personally, first hand, and it ain't pretty. Thanks for your informative post.

Hey Jenn, We are hearing that there is more and more of it today...and it may be getting worse. We must all keep our eyes and ears open at all times. Thanks for stopping by - I hope that you are doing well!

Hey Lanette, Uh oh, that must have been absolutely terrible. I have heard that identity theft can take years to clean up. Oh, I hate hearing that. So you know how important it is to check your credit on a yearly basis and make sure there is nothing there that shouldn't be there! Thanks for stopping by!

Under 18?? That's truly frightening! I guess that was the next step to the ever-increasing wave of identity theft. But you are absolutely right - we have to stay diligent so that it doesn't happen to us. Thanks for the tips!

~Kathy

Sandy, this is a frightening thought, I don't know how to stem the tide. I suppose that stiffer penalties including enforcing punative damages to those that steal anothers identitiy. I have heards stories where an 8 year old had his identity stolen and credit established on his social security number the the credit was ruined, this is horrible! Good post on how to prevent this from happening to you!

Hi Sandy, good post! These are very important steps to take.

Scary read! I'm with Kathy on the shock for the under 18 thefts. But it happens - and sometimes by members of the child's family. Thanks for sharing this with us! You just can't be too careful!

~Renae

Hey Kathy, Yes, I recently heard that they are stealing identities of people under 18 years old because that way it goes undetected for a considerable period of time!

Hey Tony and Darcy, You referenced the 8 year old whose identity was stolen - I have heard of similiar stories. I think we must remain vigilent and check our credit every year from the 3 credit reporting agencies, so we know exactly what is on our reports.

Hey Jubal, Thanks for the compliment and thanks for stopping by!

Renae, It is shocking - but the most important thing is that we must remain aware of what's going on around us. Really sad when it's a member of the child's own family!

Sandy, We are witnessing moral decay at an alarming rate...

Not only is Identy Theft one of the fastest growing crimes, in may jurisdictions, they are very seldom prosecuted because there is no bodily damage. It is handled as a property crime and mostly just a slap on the wrist.

Hi Paul, Yes we are and I hope that it doesn't get too much worse than it already has.

Hi Fred, Identity theives are not being prosecuted? Really? I had not heard about that! That's terrible! I had no idea that it is considered a property crime - unbelievable!

Sandy, Identity theft is becoming more & more prevalent. People also need to watch out for 'shoulder surfers'... those who watch over your shoulder at ATM machines & check outs.

On the lighter side, here's a cute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWtS-M5aHQs

Hi Sandy, A reminder to everyone to shred any personal information we have for our clients when no longer needed or after the end of the retention period. I am enjoying the rain here in Maryland and am glad it wasn't cold enough here to be snow.

Hi Sandy, I work in the credit restoration field and I was sick when I realized how easy it is to steal an identity! In my practice, I recommend to my clients to subscribe to Identity Guard. It's only $12 a month, the client gets all 3 scores and reports, and they have a $20,000 ID theft insurance. It's a really great deal for only $12 a month! Checking your credit report once a year is a good practice, but if you're a victim of Identity Theft, you wouldn't find out until it's too late! With Identity Guard, you have the ability to find out anytime you want what's going on with your credit.

Hope this helps further!

Lyndasue Christensen, Credit Specialist, Sebastopol, CA

DEC

2008

On the flip side, if someone steals your identity when you already have bad credit, does that mean when you get to start all over with a new identity of your own?

Wishful thinking.

Hey Colleen, I have also heard about the people who pick up your pin # over your shoulder. Terrible. We must all be so careful! LOVE the video - I used to see that commercial on TV - one of my favorites - but I haven't seen it on in awhile - THANKS FOR SHARING! And, I hope that you are doing well!

Good to know this about the catalogs. I had no idea. I did join Lifelock.com a few years ago so I would have no worries. They insure you up to 1 million against theft. I think I pay $99 @ year.

Hi Rich, GREAT POINT! To remember to shred all of our clients info that no longer must be retained. I shred everything that comes across my desk that I no longer need - probably why I have to buy a new shredder every year! Just picked a $100 shredder up on Black Friday for $20. I was tickled, Glad to hear there's no snow there. Here it is a bit nippy - high 60's today - but, I know, we are wimps down here in the Sunshine State!

Lyndasue, Thanks for passing along the information to all of us here! Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Mike, I love the positive attitude - and today I imagine that there are alot of people with bad credit out there. Interesting twist on things! Have a great weekend!

An additional point: When you discard/recycle catalogs, tear your information off the catalog AND off the order-page inside. Many companies print that information on the order-page as a convenience for you.

I ran a book store in a local hospital, and lots of people donated their used magazines and catalogs. Almost every catalog donated still had the order-page inside with all their information.

Happy Holidays!

Hi Lizette, I just recently heard about the catalogs. I have heard alot of good things about LifeLock but have never tried them before. Smart thinking to be one step ahead of it!

Hi Alice, Thanks for the reminder to tear the info off catalog pages - inside and outside. So important. As you pointed out, that is often something that is overlooked by people that donate their magazines. Have a great weekend!

DEC

2008

Great article - some very important points to remember to protect oneself today.

Hi James, Thanks for the compliment on the post! I appreciate it!

DEC

2008

You are right about not putting outgoing mail in your own mailbox. For the past 3 years in a row our community has had the problem of mail thieves. Usually it is right about now around Christmas as well. Guess they feel people may be sending cash off to friends or relatives for presents.

Hi Jackie, Thanks for the heads up. I have heard about stories like this. Terrible - we must be cautious.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?

Sandy Shores - Melbourne FL Real Estate ,Realtor®, M & M Real Estate Inc.

Melbourne, FL

More about me…

Brevard County Real Estate/ Melbourne & Palm Bay Real Estate

Address: Melbourne, Palm Bay, Indian Harbour, Satellite Beach, Suntree, Viera, Rockledge, Titusville, Mims, Cape Canaveral FL

Office Phone: (321) 733-6080

Cell Phone: (321) 253-4545

Email Me

Melbourne Real Estate. Palm Bay Real Estate and Brevard County Real Estate and Investing. _________________

Listings

Links

Archives

Find FL real estate agents and Melbourne real estate on ActiveRain.

Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.