Secure Your Online Credit Information to Ensure a Smooth Real Estate Transaction

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Watch Out for Credit Card Fraud / Security Breaches
In light of recent security breaches at major retail stores throughout the country, I wanted to speak about how you can remain vigilant to protect yourself from credit card fraud. 

• Check Your Online Statements: Make sure your online bank statements are correct, and be sure to check up on the last few months of activity on your card.
• Check Your Credit Report: You can check your credit for free once a year from one of the major credit reporting companies.
• You can also add a fraud alert to your credit report. This will make them follow certain protocols before releasing any credit information under your name.
• You can also go one step further by calling a credit agency to freeze your credit information to stop any fraudulent activity. You only need to contact one credit agency to do this, because they will contact the other ones for you.
• Watch Your Bills: If you don't receive a bill for a while, that may be a sign that someone has changed your billing address and is trying to view your information.
• Shred All Statements: Don't put these statements in the garbage can or the recycling, shred them and get rid of them.

These are just a few ways to protect your finances, because it would be terrible to have your home purchase ruined by a hacker getting into your account and destroying your credit.

Also, with the new HeartBleed virus that was just discovered a few days ago, it is always a good idea to regularly change your passwords for email accounts and other accounts that are used for Amazon or Ebay.

As always, if you need any assistance with real estate in the Twin Cities, please do not hesitate to contact me.