Applying For A Mortgage? You Are a Prime Candidate For Identity Theft
It is becoming more and more common for the three major credit bureaus to sell the personal information you provide when you apply for a mortgage to hundreds of other mortgage brokers throughout the country. Many mortgage brokers are legitimate and will not take advantage of your personal information. However others are lying cheats that I would not trust with my dog's information let alone my SSN. UPDATE: Not that Kal is a "lying cheat", but he is someone that I would not trust with my dog's information. See why here.
So, if you are shopping for a mortgage, how do you stop this from happening to you?
1) Add your phone number to the Do Not Call List - This can be done online or by calling 888-382-1222.
2) Opt Out of Prescreened Credit Offers - This will stop creditors from viewing your personal credit information without your written consent. In addition, it will cut down on the junk mail (unwanted credit card solicitations). This alone lowers your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. You can opt out here or by calling 888-567-8688.
By being informed and taking proactive steps to protect yourself is the best line of defense against identity theft. By following the steps above, you will protect yourself and lower your chances of becoming a victim.
