ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. (623) 243-4000

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Could I Be a Victim of Identity Theft! What Do I Do Next?

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With the increased use of online shopping and many brick and mortar stores not having done enough to protect the consumer information stored on their servers. Anyone of us could be a victim of identity theft. It has happened more often than we would like to know. Last year it happened at Target and few other businesses. Below is the information you may find helpful on how to determine if you have become a victim. Below is the information on how to determine if you have become a victim. In addition, should you determine that your identity has been compromised; we have included recommended steps you may want to take to start the process of restoring your good name. For your convenience, we have included sample letters and forms you can use as guides for contacting various agencies regarding the identity fraud. (NZ4VCB6JK6N3)

How Can I Tell if I am a Victim of Identity Theft?

Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be:

• Failing to receive bills or mail when expected could mean an address change bythe identity thief;

• Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply;

• Denial of credit for no apparent reason; or

• Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.

Order a copy of your credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus. If at this time you feel you may be a victim, you should initiate a fraud alert. Once you receive your report, review it for accuracy. If you find inaccurate information, check your reports from the other two credit bureaus. Of course some inaccuracies could be because of clerical, computer, or other errors and may not be a result of identity theft. It may take 7-10 business days to receive your reports.

If you believe you are a victim, understand that it may take some time and effort to recover your name, but by following the recommended steps below, we are confident that you are on the right path to recovering your identity.

Recommended Steps 

1. Contact the Police

2. Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus

3. Close the Accounts You Know or Suspect Involve Identity Fraud

4. Contact the Government Authorities

5. Keep A Record of Your Actions and Contacts

1. Contact the Police

By contacting the police they can start investigating the crime. You will also want to obtain a copy of the police report, the police report number and the name of the investigator. Many banks, credit card companies and other agencies you will need to contact may require this information as proof of a crime. When filing a police report, provide as much documentation as you can to prove you have been a victim of identity theft. Documentation including collection letters, credit reports, an Identity Theft Affidavit can help the police create a thorough report. If the identity fraud occurred while you were away from home, you may also need to file a report in the jurisdiction where the fraud actually occurred. Be persistent if needed. You may be told they cannot take a report. Be sure to let the police know that you need a report to provide to other agencies to resolve the identity dispute. If your local police will not file a report, contact the county and state police. You may also ask that they file a Miscellaneous Incident Report instead.

2. Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus to notify them you have been a victim of identity theft and request that your file be flagged with a “Fraud Alert.” Fraud Alerts expire, so you will want to ask how long the Fraud Alert will be in effect and how you can extend it if needed. You may also want to file a “Victim Statement” with the bureaus asking them to notify you before any new accounts are opened or any existing

accounts are changed in your name. This may identify if the perpetrator attempts to open additional accounts in your name. Request copies of your credit report from each bureau to review. If information contained within your report is inaccurate, you may dispute it and request it be changed. Request your credit report again in a few months. This will help you confirm if your requested changes have been made and may identify if your report has since changed without your knowledge. This may also identify additional identity theft occurring against you.

Equifax: Order Credit Report: 1.800.685.1111

Report Fraud: 1.800.525.6285

http://www.equifax.com

Experian®: Order Credit Report: 1.888.397.3742

Report Fraud: 1.888.397.3742

http://www.experian.com

TransUnionSM: Order Credit Report: 1.800.888.4213

Report Fraud: 1.800.680.7289

http://www.tuc.com

Tips for How to Read Your Credit Report

• Check to make sure you recognize all accounts listed in your report and that the balances are in line with your records.

• Check the section listing the persons and entities that have requested or received a copy of your report. If you do not recognize a person or entity, you may want to further inquire.

• Make sure there were no inquiries to your credit report for loans or accounts you did not apply for. If there are accounts you do not recognize, this may be a sign that an identity perpetrator has fraudulently opened an account in your name.

• Check the address section to confirm there are no addresses listed for places you have never lived. If there are addresses you do not recognize, this may be a sign that an identity perpetrator has redirected your mail.

• Make sure your Social Security number is listed correctly.

• Make sure the employment history lists accurate information.

• Make sure the information is consistent across the 3 credit bureaus.

• If you identify any incorrect or suspect information, contact the credit bureau immediately. If the incorrect or suspect information is linked to a particular creditor, you will want to contact that creditor as well.

3. Close the Accounts That You Know or Suspect Involve Identity Fraud

CHECKS : If your checks have been stolen or you suspect they have been misused, contact your financial institution for stop payments. Familiarize yourself with your state’s law concerning stolen and forged checks. You can contact your State Attorney General’s office or local consumer protection agency to find out about any laws in your state related to identity fraud. Most states hold the financial institution responsible for losses related to a forged check. However, it may be your responsibility to have notified the financial institution of the possible forgery in a timely manner.

• You may also want to contact the major check verification companies directly. These

companies can alert retailers who use their databases not to accept your checks. They are:

• TeleCheck: 1.800.710.9898

• Certegy, Inc.: 1.800.437.5120

• You can also find out if the perpetrator has been passing bad checks on your account by

calling SCAN at 1.800.262.7771.

CREDIT ACCOUNTS AND ATM CARDS

  •  Close your current credit accounts and cancel your ATMcards. Ask the financial institution or agency to send you a fraud dispute form to complete. If they do not have one, you may use the attached sample letter as a guide. When reopening new accounts, be sure to use new PINs to reduce the risk of future identity theft.
  • If your financial institution is not assisting you with resolving your issues with them related to the identity theft, you may contact the agency with the appropriate jurisdiction over your financial institution. If you are not sure what agency has jurisdiction over your particular financial institution, you can find out by visiting http://www.ffiec.gov/consumercenter.htm
  • If you suspect your investment or brokerage accounts have been altered without your permission, report it to the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can file a report using their online Complaint Center at w w w.sec.gov/complaints.htm l.
  • Keep in mind that each creditor may have their own processes in place for handling a case of identity theft. Therefore, be sure to specifically ask each creditor what their process is, what is expected of you, and what you can expect from them.

4. Contact the Government Authorities

Federal Trade Commission

Counselors at the FTC can take your complaint and provide additional helpful advice on how to proceed once you have been a victim of identity theft. Their website is full of tips and also provides information on how to find out what laws have been passed in your state pertaining to identity theft.

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20580

1.877.IDTHEFT (438.4338)

TDD: 202-326-2502

www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Social Security Administration

 

The SSA Office of the Inspector General investigates allegations of identity theft. If you know or suspectyour SSN may be involved in the identity theft against you, you may want to contact the SSA to notify them, and to request a copy of your Social Security Statement.

SSA Fraud Hotline

P.O. Box 17768

Baltimore MD 21235

1.800.269.0271

Email: o i g.hotline@ssa.gov

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

The USPIS is the law enforcement entity of the U.S. Postal Service and is the entity that investigates identity theft – specifically if the identity theft involves stolen mail or other violations of the integrity of our mail service.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington DC 20260

1.800.372.8347

www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect

5. Keep A Record of Your Actions and Contacts

Keep a file of documents related to the identity theft. You will want to include documents such as disputed bills, credit reports, police report, etc. Maintain a record of your telephone conversations with the persons and agencies you contact for assistance. Be sure to record the date and time of the call, the name and title of the person you spoke with, and the things you discussed.

Follow-up all telephone conversations in writing and send these letters certified with return receipt requested. Maintain a copy of this written correspondence for your file.

Maintain copies of any written correspondence you exchange related to the identity fraud. Keep original documents for your file; only mail copies.

Other Resources

Identity Theft Resource Center

P.O. Box 26833

San Diego CA 92196

1.858.693.7935

www.idtheftcenter.org

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

P.O. Box 33752

San Diego CA 92103

1.619.298.3396

www.privacyrights.org

Victims Assistance of America, Inc.

P.O. Box 33752

Washington DC 20033

1.502.292.2456

www.victimsassistanceofamerica.org

Steps Toward Preventing Future Identity Theft

Be Aware. Monitor your financial statements regularly.

Obtain your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 6-12 months . Review these reports for any inaccurate information, or any transactions that you were not aware of or did not authorize. Secure your personal information at home. Consider keeping your sensitive, personal information in a safe or other location accessible only by you. Ask about security measures in your workplace. Find out who can obtain your personal information through work, how your information is secured, and how they discard personal records. Avoid giving out personal information over the phone. Especially when the telephone call is initiated by another party. Identity thieves may pose as a representative of a legitimate organization with whom you do business and may contact you to “verify” your information. Be suspicious of providing personal information online. Identity thieves use a practice called ‘phishing’ where they send emails that claim to be from a legitimate source – such as a bank, government entity or your ISP – and ask you to update your account or personal information. Verify unsolicited email by calling the financial institution or government agency directly, or through a new Internet session. Carry only the information you need. Only take with you the credit cards you need, and avoid carrying your Social Security card.

Regularly review your recent Card account activity . Accessing your account online is a great way to stay up-to-date on recent charges.  Shred documents containing your personal information before disposing. Identity thieves have been known to “dumpster dive” to obtain documents with personal information that have been discarded.

You may obtain a paper shredder at any local office supply company. Have the Postal Service hold your mail if you are going to be gone for a few days or more. Since identity thieves have also been known to obtain personal information by collecting individual’s mail before they return home, it is a good idea to collect your mail as soon as possible and to have the Postal Service hold your mail at the post office if you are planning on being away for any period of time. Another way to prevent account information from being stolen in the mail or from the trash is to reduce the amount of paper with account references.

Act fast! Any protections you have are stronger if you act quickly to try to correct potential identity theft.

P.S. We have sample letters that you can use if you were a victim of Identity Theft. Please contact us at (623) 243-4000. We will be happy to email the sample letters to you.

Content for this article obtained from American Express website.

Have some new jewelry in the house? Protect it!

Ah, Valentine’s Day is near, and love is in the air. Well, love and a few other things, such as chocolates, romantic dinners, candy hearts that say “Be Mine” – and, of course, jewelry.

It’s exciting to receive jewelry from a loved one — or to give it as a gift. Not to mention romantic. But if you’re lucky enough to have some new jewelry in your Arizona home this Valentine’s Day, you should take a few minutes to think about something you probably don’t find exciting or romantic: insurance.

Don’t know where to turn? Don’t worry. At ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc., we think it is exciting to help our customers protect what’s most important to them — so we’re ready to help and can answer all of your questions.

Things to consider when insuring jewelry:

You may need to purchase additional coverage. Your homeowner’s policy covers valuable items such as jewelry only up to set amounts. If the cost of replacing your jewelry exceeds that limit, you will want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage. You can check your policy or give us a call at (623) 243-4000.

You might want to reconsider your deductible amounts. As always, this impacts your policy premium. It’s a good idea to take a look at your deductibles whenever you make a change to your policy.

Do you need an appraisal? You may need to have an independent appraisal if the insurance company requires it or if you don’t know the value of your jewelry. Each item should be listed with a description and value on paper.

What kind of coverage is offered? You’ll want to determine if items are covered no matter where they are, whether they’re in your home, or on an international trip, and if the policy offers full replacement cost. You also should ask if you will be required to replace your jewelry if lost or stolen, or if you can simply keep the cash settlement.

Pictures can be helpful. Lost or stolen pieces of jewelry sometimes can be recreated if the jeweler has a good photograph to work from.

Should I go with a company that specializes in jewelry insurance? There are companies that specialize in jewelry insurance. Whether you choose one of these, or a company that we represent, you’ll want to make sure they are reputable and stable.

Is the value of your jewelry mainly sentimental? Is an item irreplaceable? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” you might consider foregoing insurance. But please, talk to us at (623) 243-4000 before making that decision. That’s what we’re here for.

Of course, it’s important to store your jewelry securely when it’s not in use; a safe in your home or a safe-deposit box is best. We want your jewelry to be replaced if it’s lost or stolen, but we’d rather your sentimental and valuable pieces stay with you and your family for years to come.

Is your rental property covered when it’s under renovation?

If you’re planning on remodeling, don’t make the mistake of renovating without the proper insurance coverage.

Whether you’re adding a new room, finishing a basement or expanding a deck in the backyard, you should speak with your insurance company to determine if you need to adjust your policy. There are three basic reasons for this:

  1. When you make additions or improvements to your home, you increase its value. If something happens to your home during renovation or after you’ve completed the work, you’ll be covered for the higher amount of your home’s value.
  2. Protection of your financial assets if you or someone else is injured while working on your home. 
  3. If your property is vacant or unoccupied while under renovation, coverage may be restricted or unavailable.

Foremost® has you covered.

Some insurance companies aren’t comfortable covering homes while under renovation. You can count on Foremost to provide the coverage you want while making improvements.

Not sure what your policy provides? Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to financial loss when you’re having home renovations done. Call me to discuss a Dwelling Fire policy from Foremost.

Product availability is based on authority and all products may not be available in all areas.

This does not constitute legal advice. For a complete list of the specific landlord and tenant laws in your state visit http://www.landlordassociation.org/statelaws.html, or for legal advice, speak with a real estate attorney.

ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. offers effective solutions for your insurance needs and offers insurance products from many different companies including Foremost. We can be reached at (877) 275-2201 or visit us online www.asjinsurance.com .

 

Auto Insurance

Things to Know When Searching for Auto Insurance

 1. “You’re a statistic”: You will hear this general statement numerous times when you begin your hunt for auto insurance. Your premium will be based off of a combination of factors including the type of car you drive, its year, your age, your gender, marital status, your occupation, who you are, your personal driving violations, accident claims, credit rating, education, how far you drive to work, the miles you drive each year, your vehicle’s theft protection devices, where you live and how you live. This may appear to be an abundance of determinants; however, all of these can and will work both for and against you to come up with a reasonable monthly premium.

2. You will save money by comparison shopping. Just like when you prepare to purchase anything else, you are going to want to do your research before jumping the gun and making your ultimate decision. Prices for auto insurance will vary vastly depending on the provider. What may appear to be the same exact product can still have a different price tag, so make sure to do your research before committing to any specific company.

 3. it’s not just about price. It is also about the customer-service that your insurer provides. It is your right to do some background research regarding each insurance company’s history in terms of claims service. If a company takes forever to file a claim after an accident occurs or they are financially unstable, you are not going to want to sign up with them solely based on a low premium.

 4. Auto Insurance is not an area to be skimpy on. Most states only require liability coverage, which again will protect you from being held responsible for another party’s damages, in the event of an accident. You should look for more coverage beyond just the basics. For example collision, bodily injury, car rental, comprehensive, full glass, medical coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist, and towing are all additional types you can add to your policy. Just because you choose to get extended coverage does not mean that you will have to necessarily pay more. Many companies can work with you and come up with a reasonably priced multi-coverage plan designed just for you.

5. Research what discounts you are entitled to. Discounts are granted to reward behavior. For example, good grades and certain safe driving courses could make you eligible for monthly discounts. Do your homework before purchasing auto insurance. Any website that is willing to give you multiple quotes at once such as www.asjautoinsurance.com is the perfect place to start.

ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. is any insurance customer’s ideal insurance agency of choice, because they work with multiple companies, which will in turn provide you with a listing of various quotes and from there you and your family can find the one that works for you. You can go ahead and request a no obligation quote at:

http://www.asjinsurance.com/asjinsurance.aspx?MyMenu=home&MyPage=forms/auto.asp&SessionID=63631471

and the experts at ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. will go to work on coming up with a number of auto insurance quotes from different companies such as The Hartford, MetLife Auto & Home, Progressive, Safeco, Infinity, Foremost, Bristol West and many more companies. Visit us at www.asjautoinsurance.com or call us at 602-212-1048 or toll free 877-275-2201.

At ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. you are in the hands of elite, experienced professionals who have been providing insurance services to both Arizona and California residents for more than 10 years and will work for you non-stop until you are fully satisfied with the outcome.