You’ve worked hard to maintain a solid financial record, one that you are very proud of.
Then, in what seems like the blink of an eye, all that hard work is compromised. So, what happened?
As it turns out, you are just the latest in a long line of identity theft victims.
While they say the only true things in life are death and taxes, preventing identity theft can be done for the most part if one knows where to turn for help.
That said there are numerous I.D. theft protection services on the market, services that can be the difference between you being protected and having to deal with major financial fallout.
So, which identity theft protection service will you get?
Shop Wisely and Do Your Research
In searching for the best identity theft protection service for your financial needs, file away these pointers:
- Homework – Just as when you were a kid in school, do your homework on the different I.D. theft protection services out there on the market. In your search, you may be surprised to see the various deals awaiting you, deals that can help protect you from criminals hoping to get a piece of your financial pie. Whether you come across a LifeLock promo or another brand’s offer, be sure to put the offers up against one another. By doing that, you can whittle down which ones are best suited to your needs, ultimately selecting the one right for you;
- Internet – You can gather a lot from using the Internet in your search for the right I.D. theft protection service. Visit various I.D. theft protection websites to see what the company offers in particular. While you still are best-served talking with a company rep one-on-one over the phone or via email, you can get a better feel for the brand by a five-minute or so stop on their website. Along with their product and service offerings, you can learn about the history of the company, how long it has been serving consumers, how the brand has grown to stay one step ahead of I.D. theft criminals etc. Also check out the company’s online customer service initiatives. Some brands will even have a blog, thereby offering tips on how to avoid identity theft in the first place. Whether it is a blog article or even an informational video, you can learn a lot of valuable details about how to protect your assets;
- Social media – Along with visiting a brand’s website, go over to social media to see how the brand works there, be it Facebook, Twitter etc. This is another means whereby you can get an idea of a company’s customer service efforts. Do they respond to consumers when they offer questions and/or bring up issues about a product or service? Finally, do they make available deals via their social media sites (i.e. promotional offers)? By using the company websites and the social media venues, you can learn a ton of information on the various identity theft protection services out there, all without ever leaving your home or office computer, perhaps even your app;
- Referrals – Lastly, turn to family members (outside your home) and friends to see which I.D. theft protection services they rely on for their financial well-being. In some instances, companies will offer a discount or credit the original buyer with money etc. when they successfully refer someone else to their business. By turning to a family member or friend to see which product they went with, you can get first-hand knowledge on which service best meets your financial protection needs.
Just one identity theft incident has the potential to change your life in a negative manner for years to come.
So that you can do your best to lessen such criminal opportunities, make sure you have a product that you can put 100 percent trust in.
Always look at identity theft as the criminal having the upper-hand. While that may not in fact be the case, it will keep you on your toes, allowing you to be on guard at all times.
When it comes to identity theft, you’re just one bad incident away from a potential nightmare.
Find the service that will provide you with fewer sleepless nights.