What is Identity Theft?
If you think you have been a victim of identity theft and not sure what steps to take?
How can someone steal your identity?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security Number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
How do they go about stealing my identity?
Identity thieves may use a variety of low- and high-tech methods to gain access to your personally identifying information.
They get confidential information by:
- stealing records from their employer
- bribing an employee who has access to the records
- conning information out of employees
- hacking into the organization's computers
- rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving"
- obtain credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to credit reports or by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for and a legal right to the information
- steal credit and debit card account numbers as your card is processed by using a special information storage device in a practice known as "skimming"
- steal wallets and purses containing identification and credit and bank cards
- steal mail, including bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, or tax information
- complete a "change of address form" to divert mail to another location
- steal personal information from your home
- scam information from you by posing as a legitimate business person or government official
How can I tell if I'm a victim of identity theft?
Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals.
Other indications of identity theft include:
- failing to receive bills or other mail, which may signal an address change by the identity thief
- receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
- being denied credit for no apparent reason
- receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy
Although any of these indications could be a result of a simple error, you should not assume that there's been a mistake and do nothing. Always follow up with the business or institution to find out.
What can I do to protect myself?
As with any crime, you can't guarantee that you will never be a victim, but you can minimize your risk. By managing your personal information widely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft.