About Identity Theft

What is identity theft?

Anytime someone else uses your personal information, such as your social security number, name, credit card number or other personal information to commit theft or fraud, it is identity theft.

Your personal information allows identity thieves access to your bank accounts and your credit worthiness.

Accessing your credit allows the thieves to use your name to:

  • open accounts
  • get loans and make purchases
  • get a job
  • rent an apartment
  • buy a house
  • get a phone
  • access benefits
  • get medical care

  • A thief can also use your name if they get caught committing a crime.  The authorities can issue a warrant and come looking for you!

    The best strategy is prevention.

    Once an identity thief has your information they can choose not to use it (right now), they can sell it, use it later or make it publicly available to other thieves.

    What are the signs of Identity Theft?

    Things can happen in daily life and they don’t make much sense at the time. You are likely not expecting someone to steal your identity. When any of these things happen, there is a better than average chance that you are victim of identity theft. The sooner you take action the sooner you can mitigate the damage.

  • You have information about an account, in your name, you didn’t open
  • You have debts you can’t explain
  • You have a bill in your name for a purchase you didn’t make
  • You have unexplained charges on your credit card bill or bank account
  • You get a call from a bill collector or company and have no knowledge of the purchase
  • You receive a letter about merchandise or services you didn’t order
  • You haven’t gotten your bank statement, credit card bill or other regular mail
  • You are being denied credit or being given a high interest rate for no apparent reason
  • You have inaccurate information on your credit report such as accounts, address, name or initials, employers or social security number
  • You receive credit cards that you didn’t apply for
  • You receive mail about an apartment you didn’t rent, a house you didn’t buy, a job you never held or medical services you never had

    • All of these events need to set off red flags for you because they are all signs of identity theft.

    Take action immediately!

    Contact the creditor or business to discuss the possibility of identity theft. Get more information about the purchases, accounts or other activity. Take notes!

    Get a copy of your credit report, there may be other accounts and other signs of identity theft. If your credit report confirms unauthorized activity put a fraud alert on your credit report. Contact the creditors and businesses that are possibly fraudulent and then follow the steps under Reporting Identity Theft.