LegalShield Independent Associate - Dorothy Gade

Identity Theft Victim Statistics

Approximately 15 million United States residents have their identities used fraudulently each year with financial losses totaling upwards of $50 billion.*
Approximately 15 million United States residents have their identities used fraudulently each year with financial losses totalling upwards of $50 billion.*

On a case-by-case basis, that means approximately 7% of all adults have their identities misused with each instance resulting in approximately $3,500 in losses.

Close to 100 million additional Americans have their personal identifying information placed at risk of identity theft each year when records maintained in government and corporate databases are lost or stolen.
These alarming statistics demonstrate identity theft may be the most frequent, costly and pervasive crime in the United States.

The sophistication level of professional identity thieves involved in organized crime continues to grow along with the methods they develop. From individually tailored phishing and vishing scams, to increasingly successful hacks of corporate and government databases, to elaborate networks of botnets designed to hijack millions of computers without any trace, there is an ever-increasing threat to all Americans.

At the same time, basic methods of identity theft continue unabated. From stealing wallets and purses, to dumpster diving and stealing mail, to the use of pretext and social engineering to deceive customer call centers into releasing personal account information, the original methods of identity theft still work.

As the methods used to perform identity theft expand, so do the types of accounts and services being stolen by identity thieves. Credit, debit, checking and saving accounts are no longer the only targets. Identity fraud has grown to include theft of cell and landline phone service; cable and satellite television service; power, water, gas and electric service; Internet payment service; medical insurance; home mortgages and rental housing; automobile, boat and other forms of financing and loans; and, government benefits. Identity thieves will also use stolen identities to obtain employment and to deceive police when arrested.

Quite simply, every individual or business is vulnerable to attack when it comes to personal or corporate information, products and services.

*Based on a range of information gathered from public and private resources.

Traffic Stops: What You Should and
Shouldn’t Do

Being pulled over by the police can be both nerve-racking and expensive. Besides the potential fine you may receive points on your driver’s license and a hike in your insurance premiums. Here are some general tips on what you should and should not do if you are pulled over. As a LegalShield individual or family plan member you have coverage for all non-criminal and non-commercial moving violations. If you receive a ticket contact your LegalShield provider law firm right away.

If pulled over you should first pull safely off the road, turn your interior light on at night and keep your hands on the steering wheel where they can be seen.

Avoid searching and moving around in your vehicle while waiting for the officer to approach. Don't take off your seatbelt until the officer has made contact with you.

Comply with the officer’s requests for your name, driver's license, registration and insurance information. If you need to look around in your glovebox, purse or wallet for those items, let the officer know you need to do so.

Do not exit the vehicle unless you are directed to do so by the officer.

It is important to be polite and cooperative. Avoid arguing with the officer. Save any objections or arguments for court. Ultimately a judge will decide if the ticket is valid.

You are not required to consent to a search of your car. If the officer searches over your objection, stay calm and tell the officer you object to the search but do not physically resist the search.

Call your LegalShield provider law firm and speak with an attorney as soon as you receive a ticket. LegalShield provider law firms frequently assist members who receive traffic citations. Calling right away will help ensure an attorney is available for your court date and has time to prepare your case.

WOW - truckers - check this out!
http://sites.legalshield.com/pdf/cdlp/basicFlatSheet.pdf

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