Identity Theft FAQ
Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from identity theft.
» How can my identity be stolen?
What can I do to protect my identity from theft?
What are the chances my identity will be stolen and what can the thief do with my personal information?
What should I do if I discover that my identity has been stolen?
Will I be held responsible if a thief uses my identity to commit a crime?
Are there any laws that specifically prohibit identity theft?
How can my identity be stolen?
Someone could steal your identity very easily by:
- stealing your wallet
- filling out a change of address form for you and collecting your mail
- snatching your unshredded pre-approved credit slips from the trash
- ordering unauthorized credit reports on you by posing as a potential employer or landlord
- looking over your shoulder at phones and ATMs to gather PIN numbers (sometimes with binoculars or listening devices)
- using phony telemarketing schemes to con you into giving your personal data
- illegally tapping a computer at a business to which you have provided information or by which you have been granted credit (this is often done by dishonest or disgruntled employees), or
- gathering sensitive information and using it as a way to extract revenge (this is usually done by a former friend, lover, roommate, or co-worker -- and it's more common than most people realize).
Perhaps the most frightening (and most thorough) way for a thief to steal someone's identity is by purchasing it at one of the identity search companies that have sprouted on the Internet. For as little as $49.99, these companies will sell you someone's Social Security number (the heart of identity theft), their mother's maiden name (the second most valuable piece of information), their home and employment address, their previous addresses, their credit history, and more.
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