Once you start becoming an established adult, start making a living, and begin to build your credit, one of the most important things to learn is how to prevent identity theft. Identity theft can be extremely damaging, not only financially but mentally and emotionally as well. Some people may never fully recover after being a victim of identity theft. There are certain steps you can take to assist you in the prevention of such a crime, as well as steps to take if it does happen to you. A Lost Green Card Identity theft is not just an issue in theU.S., it does not only happen to a certain targeted audience; it is a worldwide issue and can happen to anyone. Most of the time when you hear the term “identity theft” you may think about one’s license being stolen or their credit cards. Unfortunately, identity theft can occur when a green card is lost or stolen as well. A green card is the proper identification for immigrants to stay in the United States and work as legal immigrants. A lost green card is not only detrimental in the country in which an individual is from, but also it can cause major issues such as credit card fraud. Once a predator gets their hands on that kind of information,it can be extremely hard to track them down, especially in countries that do not have sophisticated locating systems in place. Lost Green Card! What to do? With a lost green card, you do not want to hesitate at all. The best thing anyone can do if they discover their green card is missing or stolen is to immediately report it and apply for a new one. This is, of course, assuming that the individual is positive that their card gone and not just misplaced. Contacting the proper authorities and offices will ensure that the victim will have the minimum amount of backlash and barrage of questioning that can accompany losing a green card. By reporting a lost or stolen green card, it can greatly improve the chances of the proper authorities to track down whoever may be using the lost or stolen information. When applying for a new green card, additional proof of identification and information will more than likely be required. Temporary Identification As with any lost or stolen identification, once the proper authorities have been contacted and applications for new identification has taken place, ensure that you get some form of temporary identification. The worst position you can find yourself in is being a victim of identity theft with no way to prove who you are. People may understand the story that you are telling but they are going to need proof! Since stolen identitiesare nothing new, the agencies involved have a system they utilize to create temporary identification that will suffice until your new green card comes in. Tips for Prevention One of the best ways that anyone can safeguard their personal information and their green card is to not carry original documents on their person, unless it is absolutely necessary. Photocopies of these documents can be made and carried around, or presented when need be. Having a personal lock box within the home or a safe deposit box at a bank might be something in which you’ll want to invest. If personal information has been requested, the safest way to transfer information is through certified mail. This comes along with a confirmation of receipt as well as documentation of who signed for the mail. It may seem as if you are overdoing it, but it is better to be prepared for the worst and not leave any room for anything to go awry. Having a green card lost or stolen and not taking the proper steps to fix the situation may lead to not being able to come back into the country. There are many people who work within the United States and are supporting their families in other countries. If they are unable to obtain their green card; they may lose everything that they have worked so hard to build. Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of writing articles on Credit Protection and advising people to immediate steps by informing authorities if your card is lost or stolen. Follow her on Twitter to know more ononthe risk for identity theft if you lose your green card.
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