Key Benefits

What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, address, Social Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, or other identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

How can someone steal my identity?
Identity thieves may use a variety of low- and high-tech methods to gain access to your personally identifying information. For example

They get information from businesses or institutions by: stealing records from their employer, bribing an employee who has access to the records, conning information out of employees, or hacking into the organization's computers. They rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving." They 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.

They 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."

What are the consequences of identity theft?

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may:

Go on spending sprees using your credit and debit card account numbers to buy "big-ticket" items like computers that they can easily sell. Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and SSN. When they don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on the account. Because the bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there's a problem Take out auto loans in your name.
 

Counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account

We would be happy to make a no cost and no obligation evaluation of your case.

www.consumer.gov/idtheft