Introduction

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. The FTC estimates that 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. ID theft occurs when thiefs use your personal information (such as social security number or driver's license number) to gain access to money, credit or goods and services in your name. Since your name is used for these activities, companies come to you seeking repayment of the money or goods that were illegally obtained. While legally you do not owe anything, it can often be difficult to prove this and it can take months and even years to get everything straightened out, costing you a huge amount of time and resources. In the meantime, you can be left with no access to credit as credit card companies, banks, utilities (phone, cell phone, tv) and other financial institutions can cut off your credit accounts until your good name is restored. Many people have actually been arrested and jailed (some multiple times) because an identity theft committed crimes in their name.

How does identity theft happen?
Identity thieves can get access to your personal information in myriad different ways.   These include:

Stealing mail
Copying down or taking pictures of your information in a retail transaction
Data breaches at companies that have your information
Stolen wallets or purses
Documents throw in the trash by you or a business that has your information (dumpster diving)
Computer viruses
Phishing
Intercepting data form insecure networks or sites
Overhearing or hacking into phone conversations
Pretexting, meaning use false pretenses to get your personal information from companies that have it (financial institutions, utilities, etc.)
Changing your address through a change of address form in order to divert billing statements from your home to an address the thief controls

What do thieves do once they steal my identity?
Identity thieves continue to come up with new ways to benefit from your stolen identity. The most common thing an identity thief does is open up a new account in your name. This can be a credit card account, a bank account which they then use to write bad checks, a phone or wireless phone account, or a utility account such as heat, electricity or television. The thief then racks up charges in your name and never pays them, leaving creditors to come after you. Another common tactic is to take out a loan in your name for something like a car or even a house. Identity thieves also commonly use your identity in dealings with the government. The purpose of this can vary from receiving benefits in your name (such as social security, or even a tax refund) to avoiding prosecution by giving police your information when arrested! Of course, when you don't show for the court date, a warrant is then issued for your arrest!! We could go on and on, but suffice it to say, there are hundreds of ways for an identity thief to benefit from using your personal information.