Identity theft and unauthorized charges can ruin your credit overnight. Most people who fall prey to identity theft do so because they were not careful enough with their personal information. Just by having your name and social security number an identity thief can open new accounts and charge thousands of dollars to your credit. Be careful who you give your social security number to; only employers and trusted credit companies should ask for your SSN. It is not necessary for any transaction that does not require a credit or background check.

Those who review their credit card statements regularly can catch any fraudulent charges. Instead of just receiving your bill and paying the balance make sure to check each individual transaction. If there is a charge you don’t recognize contact the merchant or your credit card company immediately. If this ends up being a fraudulent charge your credit card company should refund it and re-issue you a new card. By taking just a few minutes each month you can catch any identity theft before it comes a major problem.

There are also companies online that can provide a monthly credit report at a small cost. These sites will pull your information to update you on your current score. If there are any significant changes to your score these services will send an email alerting you. These sites can save big headaches down the road.

If you have any concerns about your credit score the team at Vivix Credit Solutions is here to help. Vivix Credit Solutions offers a free in-office consultation where you will sit down with a financial expert to evaluate your situation and discuss the most appropriate action for you to take to either rebuild or maintain your credit score.

Whether you need a good credit score to get a loan, rent an apartment, or buy a new car, it is imperative you learn to protect yourself against damaging identity theft. By keeping your social security number private, reviewing monthly statements, and subscribing to a credit service you will be well on your way to keeping your score right where you want it.