February 22nd, 2006

Behind the Headlines
This Issue: Take control of your financial identity

As we track the recent headlines over the release of private information about subscribers to the Boston Globe - printed on long sheets that were wrapped around the headlines - we are all on extra high alert about the safety of our credit card information and the growing problem of identity theft.

Take control of your financial identity! Our recommendation is to establish a routine that includes checking your credit rating three times a year to monitor it and to catch any errors. This is easier than you think - and it provides you with very useful information, including:

* Whether your credit rating information has been requested, and by whom.
* Whether any new accounts have been opened in your name.
* The status of your accounts.

Identity theft occurs most often through credit cards. By reviewing your credit report regularily, you can effectively monitor your credit, make any adjustments that are needed, and take steps to safeguard your identity from theft.

It takes just a few minutes to log in your request following the steps I've outlined below. Make credit-checking a habit by jotting down a reminder on your calendar every four months.

There are three credit agencies that provide credit reports: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each year, you are allowed to receive one free copy from each one of these agencies.

To access your free credit report, follow these simple directions:
1: Go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
2: Select your state of residency and click "Request Report."
3: Fill in all required information fields and click "Next."
4: Select the credit agency from which you want to receive your report. (Remember, you can only get your report once a year from any of the three agencies - make sure it has been at least 12 months since the last time you requested it from the same agency.)
5: Click "Next."
6: You will be taken to the agency's website, where you follow the directions to pull up your credit report. Keep in mind, you do not need to find out your credit score (the agency will charge a fee for this) - you only want to print your free report for your own information.

If there is incorrect information on your credit report, make your best effort to immediately correct any errors; each report will include instructions that guide you in doing this. False and incorrect information on your report can affect your future interest rates, insurance premiums and access to credit, so this is important. Report the error to the credit agency that provided the report AND to the company that holds the card. p> Please call us if you have any questions regarding your credit report - we will be more than happy to assist you in reviewing your report.

Compass Planning

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