By: Rebecca Levin

Refinancing a home loan is one of the biggest decisions you can make. It can affect any future purchases you make and impact your credit in ways your lender might not be able to predict, but just getting approved for a refinance can be a battle unto itself. To refinance, you must jump through a variety of hoops and have a reasonable credit score in order to do so.

Which brings us to the question: should you use an identity protection service to secure your credit score? If you would like to iron out any instances of fraud, identity theft, or any errors in your credit report before applying for refinance and you have the money, then the answer is yes. Utilizing these services will not harm your chances of refinancing.

Identity Detectives

Identity protection services are a valuable resource for detecting fraud and protecting against identity theft. They go above and beyond your credit card agency to assess the instances of identity theft that might have occurred, and help protect your credit from further fraud damage. Many agencies also allow you to purchase credit insurance. This insurance aids you financially in purchasing expert legal help in the event that your identity has been stolen, help that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Furthermore, these companies allow you to view your credit report whenever you desire, so you can see any misrepresentations in your score and correct them before applying for refinancing. This is a valuable tool, considering that viewing your credit report multiple times a year can be a costly experience.

Security Is Not Free

If you have the time and would like to save some money, then it might be better to check your credit score manually and iron out any problems without the aid of an identity theft service. If you do choose to utilize one of these services, however, you can rest assured that it will not harm your chances of refinancing. You can sign up at www.creditkarma.com and begin to receive free credit reports. You can also sign up through the blog  to have complete  protection and recovery services as well at here:  http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/identity-theft-protection.php

Rebecca Levin is a contributor to mortgagerates.inmyarea.com, which is a consumer friendly financial services and information site. To find out more about Rebecca and her work, please visit her Google Plus account.

Did you know that the IRS works on a first come first serve basis, so if someone has stolen your identity and filed, you will not be the one receiving your tax return! Watch the NBC video clip here:
Maybe it is time to consider Identity Theft Protection Services as endorsed by the Identity Advocate. Review here: https://www.entrustamerica.com/signup1.aspx?sp=theidentityadvocate

It is tax time again and the IRS wants taxpayers to be protected against identity theft, and has provided 10 safety tips to help people avoid this crime. Here’s what the IRS wants you to know:
1. If you receive a letter or notice from the IRS which leads you to believe someone may have fraudulently used your Social Security Number, respond immediately to the name and address or phone number printed on the IRS notice.
2. If you receive a letter from the IRS that indicates more than one tax return was filed for you, this may be a sign that your SSN was used fraudulently.
3. Another sign that you may be the target of identity theft is an IRS letter indicating you received wages from an employer unknown to you.
4. The IRS has a department which deals specifically with identity theft issues. The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is available if you have been in contact with the IRS about an identity theft issue and have not achieved a resolution.
5. You can contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by calling the Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm local time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific Standard Time).
6. The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is also available if you believe your identity may be at risk of being stolen due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet or due to questionable activity on your credit card or your credit report.
7. The IRS never initiates communication with taxpayers about their tax account through emails. If you receive an e-mail or find a Web site you think is pretending to be the IRS, forward the e-mail or Web site URL to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
8. The IRS has many more resources available to help inform taxpayers about identity theft on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. On IRS.gov you can access information on how to report scams and bogus IRS Web sites. You can also visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by typing Identity Theft Resource Page in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.
9. The Federal Trade Commission is also available to assist taxpayers with identity theft issues. You can reach them at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338).
10. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for protection tips from the federal government and the technology industry.