Built-In Identity Theft Protection for Credit Cards

With the growing number of identity theft cases, it's tough not to worry about whether it could happen to you. If you've recently opened up a new credit card account - be it a major credit card or a store charge card - you're probably all too familiar with the identity theft protection subscription services that the issuers shamelessly strive to sell you.

If you're like me, you just want to make the call, activate your new card and get it over with as quickly as possible. With the busy lives we lead, it really doesn't make sense to sit on the phone for five or ten minutes simply trying to activate a credit card...especially when half of that time is spent arguing with the customer service specialist who endeavors to sway you toward the "only $11.95 a month" credit monitoring and identity theft protection package, with as many free credit reports as you want. Oh boy!

Now don't get me wrong here. Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem across the globe and it shouldn't be taken lightly. In some cases, credit monitoring services and identity theft insurance may be great assets to protecting your credit and your identity. When prompted by creditors, consumers should consider the option of adding such a service, but by no means should they feel pressured or forced into accepting these monthly subscription services.

What credit card salespeople and customer service reps fail to mention is that we as consumers and as credit card holders already possess a form of identity theft protection.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, all consumers are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Simply call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get a free copy of your credit report.

For a comprehensive credit protection plan, request a free credit report from one of the bureaus every four months so you can keep yourself in the know when it comes to your credit history and the possibility that identity theft may be happening to you.

Credit Monitoring Services