Define Identity Theft

If a stranger or someone other then yourself uses your personal information without permission then you are a tragic victim of identity theft.

To define identity theft is easy. Unfortunately, nine million Americans fall victim to this kind of fraud each year, affecting innocent individuals each and everyday. An individual goes to use their credit card, check book or personal information and finds out, much to their horror, that there identity has been stolen. None of us should have to worry about identity theft but there are so many thieves out there searching for their next victim, we need to worry, we need to protect ourselves .

Identity theft is a growing problem within our society, it isn't enough to just define identity theft. We need to understand why and how it happens.

Nowadays, people have a new way to buy and shop. People use credit cards instead of cash. They purchase goods and services online instead of at a store. Instead of going to the bank people have online bank accounts. This is called the plastic era or the wireless generation. We have the convenience and opportunity to purchase goods from around the world; to pay our bills at two o'clock in the morning; or to check our bank statement from home. Technology has brought about tremendous advances but technology has also advanced the common criminal. It seems that a new breed of criminal has been born. This type of criminal steals someone's identity in order to commit fraudulent acts.

Thieves are on the look out for our personal information so they can obtain credit cards, bank loans, utility services, wireless phone service and more by using our identity. Victims of identity theft suffer from damaged credit reports, drained bank accounts and even a criminal record. Some identity thieves will give your personal information when they are arrested. This causes embarrassment to you as it creates a criminal record. Often, victims of identity theft do not find out they have been victimized until they receive their bank statement or credit card statement in the mail or when they are turned down for a loan or apartment rental.

Define Identity Theft: Facts

Many times someone will use your social security number, name or credit card number to commit fraudulent acts. This is illegal and there are laws to help the victims.

An identity thief can find out your personal information by taking certain items from your trash. This could be a credit card or bank statement. That is why it is so important to shred all off your personal documents.

Some thieves rack up a huge debt on your credit card or use your name to obtain property. This is a crime that you probably will not find out about until a month or more has passed.

There are several more ways in which an identity thief can get your personal information.

Many thieves are skilled in the practice of retrieving information by dumpster diving. Dumpster Diving is where a thief goes through personal garbage searching for items that have your information on it.

They also use skimming where they steal your credit or debit card number after your card has been processed. This technique usually requires a device to store the numbers in.

Identity thieves use the popular method of phishing. This is where the thief pretends to be a reputable company or financial business e-mailing you in order to find out your private information. That is why residents are warned not to give out there information to companies or websites that are unknown to them or not protected with special security features.

Some thieves will fill out a change of address form with the Post Office in order to have your bank or credit card statements mailed directly to them.

Many thieves still act as pickpockets. They will steal your purse or wallet to obtain your personal information. All of these situations mentioned above are traumatic and devastating scenarios.

Identity thieves could also obtain your personal information through the act of pretexting. This is where they use fake identities in order to steal information. People called pretexters will sell your information to individuals who may use it to steal your money, get credit, to sue you or even to investigate you. This is a common practice that is against the law.

Pretexters use several different techniques in order to receive your personal information. They may pretend to be working for a research company. Under this false pretense they will try to get your name, address, birth date and social security number. After the pretexter has received your personal information they may call your bank in order to obtain even more information. Therefore you are at an even greater risk of losing so much. They can obtain your credit card numbers, bank account numbers and information on how much money is in your account. People do not deserve to have everything taken away from them in a matter of minutes.

It is illegal for people to use false statements to receive personal information. A person is not allowed to use stolen, lost or forged documents to obtain someone's information. They also are not allowed to use another person, under fraudulent means, to obtain the information they want. All of these practices are illegal and anyone who is arrested for them is punishable under the context of the law.

Define Identity Theft ... What They Do With It

There are several different things that identity thieves can do with your stolen personal information. They can open credit card accounts in your name and change your billing address so you will not receive these statements in the mail. Identity thieves are known to commit utilities or phone fraud. They may open a phone account or use your name to acquire utility service or television service.

Your personal information can be used to write counterfeit checks under your bank account number or they may open a bank account in your name and bounce checks. They can drain your bank account by using your debit card number or they can commit another form of bank fraud by receiving a loan in your name.

Identity thieves have an endless list of fraudulent and illegal acts they commit. Some use your information to rent an apartment or they give your name during a police arrest or get a job using your social security number.

Define Identity Theft: Help

The saddest part of identity theft is that most victims have no idea this is happening until it is too late. Every American citizen works too hard and too long to have a thief steal everything. Money can be lost, credit reports damaged and a reputation tainted due to someone else's criminal activity.

Victims of a stolen identity often feel violated, and have lost their trust in others. This is a crime in which the victims do not even know they are being attacked. If you feel that you are a victim of identity theft you should report this to the authorities immediately. Your life can be put back together

In a perfect world this would never happen but because we don't live in a perfect world, we must take measures to protect ourselves. Our identity is who we are and it used to be said that no one can take that away from us. Identity thieves are proving this statement to be false.

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I hope this article on Define Identity Theft has helped you to understand what identity theft is and the following articles will guide you with ways to prevent identity theft and documenting your identity theft case.

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