A consumer credit reporting agency claimed in one of its findings that approximately 143 million people in the country have fallen victim to online hackers. Such criminals steal personal information such as names, date of birth, residential and office addresses, credit card numbers, emails IDs, and even Social Security numbers This statistic nearly accounts for half of the population of the country.
How to secure your credit
The best form of defense to this problem is to know how to freeze your credit. Although it can be considered as an extreme move, it is better to be safe than sorry. The aim of a credit freeze is to ensure that besides hackers, most money lenders, businesses, and other institutions will not be able to access a person’s credit report. As a result, nobody would have the authority or the option to pose as somebody else, such as in the case of identity theft, and misappropriate their finances. The person who has opted for a credit freeze can only open a new account if they decide to lift the freeze in the first place. Government agencies may also receive access to them should there be a criminal or civil liability.
A major advantage of a credit freeze is that a person’s credit score is not at risk of declining. A person can decide which creditors they wish to show their credit reports to. Besides this, it generally takes anywhere between $5 and $20 to get the process completed. Although the amount can depend on the state a person lives in, their military status, age, disability, and the reason for the credit freeze, people now reportedly also have the option to have it done free of cost as well.
Credit bureaus
Certain credit bureaus such as TransUnion, Innovis, and Experian can be contacted through mail, online, or over the telephone as well in the case you wish to freeze your credit. Calling them would be the most ideal, but the in-person process reduces the chances of scammers trying to circumvent your request. It is also due to the fact that the credit bureau will ask for personal information such as the name and a photocopy of a valid identity document such as passport, address proof, and so on. For the victims of identity theft, documents such as a police report and DMV report may come in handy when they need to be submitted.
Taking no more than 3 business days to be completed, locking and unlocking a credit freeze must be done smartly, especially by those who are financially active or insecure in their dealings.
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4 reasons why it benefits to get your dog a DNA test
Read morePet owners may often wonder what it would be like to get a dog DNA test. Well, now it is possible!
There are a plethora of companies that specialize in developing DNA test kits for owners who are curious and wish to know more about the background of their dog. This opportunity often entices owner’s as they can get to know about their dog’s breed and even the potential health issues that their pet may be at risk of.
All dog DNA tests aren’t always created equal. Depending on the company’s database of breeds, there is a higher chance for accuracy in the test. Wondering if you should get the DNA test kit for your dog? Well, here some reasons that make the dog DNA a great piece of information.
Curiosity
Dog owners are usually very curious about the breed of their dog. Also, “what is the breed of your dog?” is commonly a question asked at the dog park. Well, mixed breed dog owners may often find it difficult to answer this question. A dog DNA test is a great way to understand the breed of your dog and put your curiosity to rest.Keep health issues at bay
There are potential health issues related to certain breeds of dogs. As mentioned above, the dominant breed gene can be established and the results of the same can be discussed with your dog’s veterinarian. Becoming aware of the potential health risk well in advance and keeping the veterinarian aware of the same can aid in averting issues in the long run.Prepare for training
A DNA test can help understand the personality traits of your pet. Understanding how big your dog will get and the unique habits associated with the breed is great for when training and socializing the dog. A retriever mix will require a set of training methods that are different from that of a terrier breed dog.Diet
The test results can also be used to derive the best kind of foods for specific dog breeds. A dog breed that is susceptible to certain diseases, such as arthritis, can be fed a diet that protects it against the progression of the same.A dog DNA test can be taken at home using kits that are available online as well as in pet supply stores. The popular offerings on the market include the Embark Dog DNA Test, Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test, HomeDNA Orivet Dog DNA Test, Find My Pet Dog DNA Test, and more.
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Things you should know before buying blackout curtains
Read moreWhether you are looking for blackout curtains for a bedroom or any other place in your house, you need to consider certain factors buying blackout curtains so that their true purpose is served.
- Curtains and drapes: There is a key difference between blackout curtains and drapes. Blackout curtains even if they are window curtains or lace curtains are single layer curtains. Drapes are, on the other hand, thicker in appearance and are multi-layered curtains. They do not allow much light to pass through them
- Protecting the home: Blackout curtains, whether they are window curtains or lace curtains, help in reducing energy costs as they cut the sunlight and UV rays which enter the room. The furniture and floor are also protected from sun damage if window curtains or lace curtains are used.
- Spaces to use blackout curtains: These curtains can be used in areas where maximum penetration of light occurs. In conditions where limited exposure to light is needed, the window curtains and lace curtains can prove to be more useful than plain drapes.
- Cost of blackout curtains: Although it is true that blackout curtains are more costly in comparison to other curtains, these curtains prove to be cost-effective as they prevent premature aging of the furniture and other home furnishing material.
- Diverse range: Window curtains and lace curtains come in a range of design and colors. These curtains match the color combination of your home and hence, they are becoming more popular. However, in certain conditions, the light version of curtains does not work, and you might have to rely on darker shades of blackout curtains.
Turning your existing curtains into blackout ones
The existing window curtains and lace curtains can also be converted into standard curtains. Blackout liners can be added which give a cool and refined look to the home and make the room look good with blackout curtains.Installation tips
A couple of inches beyond the window frame should be measured for installing such curtains. Wraparound rods can be used to block the excess light; the room will, therefore, turn into your most favored room where you can rest and relax.