Everything you say has an impact on others.

I’ll never forget time I was walking through waiting room where I worked; there was a patient sitting there, looking very unhappy. So I smiled at her as I walked by. On my way back through waiting room 15 minutes later, she said to me, “thank you for that smile. It brightened my day.” A simple little thing, almost unconscious on my part, and yet it meant so much to her.

That was almost 10 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. That smile changed both of us; it had a positive impact on her, and her reaction had a major impact on me. It made me realize how much we affect each other as we move through our individual lives. And most of time we’re totally unaware of it.

During an especially difficult time in my life I was attending a professional meeting, and my supervisor stated to group that I had a “hardwiring problem.” I felt embarrassed, chagrined, and aghast that she felt that way and would say it in front of other people, who were then drawing erroneous conclusions about who I was! For years afterward, any time I had difficulty grasping a concept, I would flashback to her saying that about me, and I’d think that maybe it was true. Maybe I wasn’t like others, maybe I just didn’t “get it.”

Words are very powerful. They can affect you long after they’ve been said. They can change way you see yourself. Words can be bullets or shelters, rocks or loving arms.

So what does that mean? Someone has stolen your credit card – your credit card company can help you with that, right? Well, according to FTC, almost 60% of identity theft issues don’t pertain to your existing credit card accounts. Identity theft can occur as a result of new lines of credit being opened in your name either through credit cards or bank loans as well as phone/utility fraud and even employment related fraud. Because we are susceptible through so many avenues in our daily life, we are all at risk.

What can you do? Where would you turn if you found yourself in this situation? Would you know where to start to clear your name? Well, now you don’t have to worry about what to do as we have answer.

As you already know, Pre-Paid Legal Services®, Inc. is a pioneer of legal services industry. With more than 30 years of experience in providing legal rights protection to our members, we have now teamed with Kroll Inc., world’s leading independent risk consulting company. Kroll is a 30 year old, publicly traded company that provides a broad range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security, and technology services to help clients reduce risks, solve problems, and capitalize on opportunities. Headquartered in New York with more than 60 offices on six continents, Kroll has a multidisciplinary corps of more than 2,200 employees and serves a global clientele of law firms, financial institutions, corporations, nonprofit institutions, government agencies, and individuals. Over last three years, Kroll has developed a unique solution for victims of identity theft. This new service is now available to Pre-Paid Legal members through IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD benefit.

What does this benefit provide our members?

The Identity Theft Shield gives you easy access to resources you need to understand your credit ratings and to fight back if an identity thief threatens your financial standing. This benefit is designed to alert you to suspicious account activity, to restore any resulting damage to your credit history and to reimburse you for covered out-of-pocket expenses you may incur in process.

1. Credit Report Through Experian Make sure your financial records are accurate. Your credit standing is one of your most important financial assets. It not only affects your ability to get credit, it often dictates interest rate at which you can borrow. It can also affect your ability to purchase insurance or to find employment. Some insurance companies and prospective employers use your credit rating to gauge your sense of responsibility. Experts recommend you review your credit report regularly. The Identity Theft Shield makes it easy. Members are entitled to an up-to-date credit report from Experian at no additional charge.

Personal Credit Score and Analysis from Experian Know your credit score . . . and how it affects your ability to borrow. Your credit score is derived from information in your credit report. This score is used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness. The higher number, better your chance of being approved for credit you want. A detailed analysis of your Personal Credit Score will be included with your Credit Report. You can use this analysis to evaluate your current credit standing.

2. Continuous Credit Monitoring Through Experian Learn of suspicious activity before your credit is ruined. A professional thief can assume your identity in just a few hours. But it can take years for you to repair your credit standing. Early detection is key to minimizing damage caused by thieves who steal you name. With your Identity Theft Shield membership, your credit files will be monitored through Experian daily. Suspicious activity will be brought to your attention, providing you with early detection. You’ll receive prompt notice if any new accounts are opened in your name . . . or if negative notations are added to your credit report.