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"identity theft is not a joke Jim, millions of families suffer every year"  - Dwight Schrute

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"identity theft is not a joke Jim, millions of families suffer every year"  - Dwight Schrute

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identity theft is when someone steals personal information such as social security from another person and uses it to steal more

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Identity theft, also known as identity fraud, is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security or driver's license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else.

The information can be used to obtain credit, merchandise and services in the name of the victim, or to provide the thief with false credentials. In addition to running up debt, in rare cases, an imposter might provide false identification to police, creating a criminal record or leaving outstanding arrest warrants for the person whose identity has been stolen.

Types and examples of identity theft

Identity theft is categorized two ways: true name and account takeover. True-name identity theft means the thief uses personal information to open new accounts. The thief might open a new credit card account, establish cellular phone service or open a new checking account in order to obtain blank checks.

Account-takeover identity theft means the imposter uses personal information to gain access to the person's existing accounts. Typically, the thief will change the mailing address on an account and run up a huge bill before the person whose identity has been stolen realizes there is a problem. The internet has made it easier for an identity thief to use the information they've stolen, because transactions can be made without any personal interaction.

There are many different examples of identity theft, such as:

Tax-related identity theft, where a thief files a false tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using a stolen Social Security number.

Medical identity theft, where a thief steals information, including health insurance member numbers, to receive medical services. The victim's health insurance provider may get the fraudulent bills, which will be reflected in the victim's account as services they received.

Child identity theft, where a child's Social Security number is misused to apply for government benefits, open bank accounts and other services. Children's information is often sought after by criminals, as the damage may go unnoticed for a long time.

Senior identity theft, where a senior is the target of an identity thief. Seniors are often in contact with medical professionals and insurance providers, and may be used to giving out their personal information. They may also not be as aware of the scamming methods thieves use to steal their information.

Identity theft techniques

Although an identity thief might hack into a database to obtain personal information, experts say it's more likely the thief would obtain information by using old-fashioned methods. Dumpster diving, or retrieving personal paperwork and discarded mail from public trash dumpsters and the trash of businesses, is one of the easiest ways for an identity thief to get information. Recipients of preapproved credit card applications often discard them without shredding them first, leaving identity thieves free to attempt activating the cards and using them.

Another popular method to get information is shoulder surfing: The identity thief simply stands next to someone in a public venue, such the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and observes as the person fills out personal information on a form or conveys it over the telephone.

Phishing and spam email are used as methods of tricking people into offering up their information to identity thieves masquerading as legitimate financial entities, a colleague the recipient trusts or an individual who makes monetary promises in exchange for information. The email may contain attachments bearing malware designed to steal personal data or links to fraudulent websites where the person would be prompted to enter their information.

How to tell if your identity has been stolen

Here are some warning signs that a person may be an identity theft victim:

Victim notices withdrawals from their bank account that weren't made by them.

Victim doesn't receive bills or other important pieces of mail containing sensitive information.

Victim finds false accounts and charges on their credit report.

Victim is rejected from a health plan because their medical records reflect a condition they don't have.

Victim receives an Internal Revenue Service notification that another tax return was filed under their name.

Victim is notified of a data breach at a company that stores their personal information.

If a person has lost or has had his wallet containing bank cards, driver's license and other forms of identification stolen, it is possible their information may end up being used to commit identity theft.

Identity theft recovery

Depending on the type of information stolen, the victim should contact the appropriate organization -- the bank, credit card company, health insurance provider or the IRS -- and inform them of the situation. The victim should request to have their account frozen or closed to prevent further charges, claims or actions taken by imposters. The identity theft victim should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and inform one of the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- in order to have a fraud alert or account freeze placed on their credit records.

If someone's personal information was compromised in a data breach, they should follow up with the company responsible to see what types of assistance and protections it may have in place for victims and their data.

Preventing identity theft

To prevent identity theft, experts recommend that individuals regularly check credit reports with major credit bureaus, pay attention to billing cycles and follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time.

Additionally, people should destroy unsolicited credit applications, watch out for unauthorized transactions on account statements, avoid carrying Social Security cards or numbers around and not give out any personal information in response to unsolicited email.

Continue Reading About identity theft

Dig Deeper on Data security breaches

Margaret Rouse asks:

How do you prevent your sensitive personal data from being used in identity theft?

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What is identity theft? - Definition from WhatIs.com

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Identity theft, also known as identity fraud, is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security or driver's license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else. The information can be used to obtain credit, merchandise and services in the name of the victim, or to provide the thief with false credentials.

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identity theft can occur in a number of different ways. a hacker could steal all of your account information for your bank or any account you have for their own use or they will sell it.

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1. freeze your credit report
2. order your free credit reports
3.enroll in credit monitoring
4. keep your social security  number safe
5. just keep a close eye on all your accounts

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Clearing up identity theft requires time and money-hours getting reports and affidavits proving the theft, figuring out what's been compromised, and then working to recover your identity. That's a lot of time to spend recovering from a crime of which you were a victim.

While you can't fully prevent identity theft-for example, if your information is compromised in a data breach-you can greatly reduce your risk by acting quickly when your personal information has been compromised, and by taking steps to protect yourself from identity theft.

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10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Identify Theft

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Clearing up identity theft requires time and money-hours getting reports and affidavits proving the theft, figuring out what's been compromised, and then working to recover your identity. That's a lot of time to spend recovering from a crime of which you were a victim.

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if you are a victim of identity theft the first thing you should do is contact a credit report agency and place fraud alert on your credit report, that will prevent thieves from opening an account in your name.

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Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information without your permission. It is a crime and creates financial chaos in people's lives. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years and a lot of money cleaning up the mess thieves leave behind.

What Do Identity Thieves Do?

Stealing your personal information is every identity thief's objective, and for the goal of financial gain at your loss. Thieves steal personal information from wallets, purses, and computers, or through the Internet in a variety of ways (but ways that can be stopped with safe computing).

Here are some of the things thieves do:

Steal your personal information from your mail box or purse or wallet, or while you're working on the internet.

Change your billing address. They can do this two ways: using a "change of address" form obtained from the post office or enclosed in your credit card bill (that they stole from your mailbox). Then, they charge items to your account. Even though you stop receiving your credit card bill, it might take you a while to notice that. By the time you do, your account could be maxed out.

Open new credit card accounts in your name using your Social Security number. The accounts rack up charges you don't know about, go unpaid, and show up as late payments on your credit report.

Open a bank account in your name and bounce checks.

Forge your signature on blank checks or authorize ATM transfers in your name, draining your bank account.

File for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they incurred under your name.

Buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.

Get identification, such as a driver's license, issued in your name but with their picture.

Give your name to the police during an arrest. When you don't show up for the court date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name.

Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a Web page devoted to many identity theft topics, such as:

How to detect it

What to do if your ATM, debit card, or credit card is stolen

What to do if your identity is stolen

For more information, on FTC resources for identity theft:
Call 1-877-438-4338 (Voice) or 1-866-653-4261 (TTY)
Visit www.ftc.gov and click "Consumer Protection," then "Consumer Information"
Write
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Types of Personal Information Identity Thieves Steal

You have many types of personal information that thieves use to steal your identity. What are they? Take a look through your wallet or mailbox, for starters. Or, if you use a computer, consider the type of information you use while shopping online.

Each family member should understand why it is important to protect this information. If you think your child with special needs will be unable or find it difficult to understand that, you'll need to protect this information for him or her as well.

Your Personal Information

Full name

Address

Social Security number

Date of birth

Mother's maiden name

Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) used for ATM, debit, and credit cards

Passwords or pass-phrases that access online accounts

Bank and credit card account numbers

Your Personal Items

Social Security Number card

Checkbook

ATM Card

Birth certificate

Passport

Credit report

Financial statements: bank, credit card, investment, life insurance, loan

Information about your child's benefits: Medicaid, SSI

Estate planning documents: will, special needs trust, powers of attorney, letter of intent

How Thieves Steal Personal Information

Your purse, wallet, mailbox, briefcase, and home are places thieves can steal your personal information. Your computer is also a big target. Not only is the computer itself valuable, but the personal information you've saved on it is valuable as well. The Internet is another place thieves go to steal personal information. It's called hacking-accessing personal information transferred over the internet that is not secured by software and firewalls.

For more information on how to practice safe computing, visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov .

How Do I Avoid Identity Theft?

Don't ever give out your personal information unless you call a company or person you trust and need to provide it. For example, you might call a lender or your insurance agent to get some information about your account. In that situation you would need to provide some personal information so the representative you're speaking with can access your account.

Reduce credit card offers by calling the three major credit reporting agencies toll-free numbers and requesting to opt-out of pre-approved credit offers. Ever wonder how you get on those lists? The credit reporting agencies share your contact information with insurance and credit card companies. You can also call:

OPT OUT
1 888-567-8688 (1-888-5OPTOUT); request to be removed from mailing lists for credit card and insurance offers.

Stop telemarketers from calling you by adding your phone number to the federal government's Do Not Call Registry. You can do that by phone or online. Your phone number stays in the registry for five years. After that time, you can renew your registration. Once you add your phone number to the registry, telemarketers cannot call you (unless you have done business with them in the past).

If after you register your phone number, telemarketers continue to call you, you can file a complaint by calling the toll-free number listed above.

Reduce junk mail by contacting the Direct Marketing Association. Request to be removed from telemarketing and mailing lists.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
Call 1-212-768-7277
Visit www.the-dma.org
Write
Consumer Affairs
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 325
Alexandria, VA 22314
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Practice safe computing by installing firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software on your computer. If you purchase items over the internet, be sure you know whether you are on a "secure" site. To find out how to go about all this, visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov .

What Should I Do if I Think My Identity Has Been Stolen?

If you become a victim of identity theft, or even suspect that you might be a victim, take immediate action.

1. Contact one of the credit reporting agencies' fraud alert departments and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This prevents identity thieves from opening accounts in your name. Many credit card companies offer no-cost fraud protection where you would not be held financially responsible for charges made to your account by thieves who steal your personal information. In order to receive the most protection possible, though, it is important you call one of the credit reporting agencies as soon as you possibly can, even if you aren't 100 percent sure your identity has been stolen, but may only think it has.

Tell the agency you think your identity has been stolen. The agency will ask you to verify your identity with your Social Security number, name, address, and possibly other personal information.

One call does it all. The credit reporting agency you contacted must contact the other two. Each agency will place a fraud alert on their version of your credit report. For the next 90 days, your creditors and other businesses that want to offer you credits will see the alert on your credit report. If anyone asks for credit in your name, the appropriate lender will contact you to verify your identity and find out if you asked for credit.

Equifax Fraud Department
Call 1-800-525-6285
Visit www.equifax.com

Experian Fraud Department
Call 1-888-397-3742
Visit www.experian.com

TransUnion Fraud Department
Call 1-800-680-7289
Visit www.transunion.com

2. Contact your lenders, banks, and insurance companies and let them know the situation. Ask to close accounts. Open new ones with new personal identification numbers (PINs) and passwords.

3. Victims of identity theft are entitled to a free credit report. Wait about a month before you request it. Some activity may take a while to show up on your report. When you get it look for:

Personal information that has changed: your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and employer

Inquiries from companies you didn't contact

Accounts you didn't open

Debts on your accounts you can't explain

4. File a police report-it is proof of the crime. If the credit reporting agencies need to investigate fraudulent activity on your report, they will need this police report.

5. Periodically check your credit reports over the next year to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.

6. Work with the credit reporting agencies to remove fraudulent activities from your credit report.

7. Work with your credit card companies to reverse fraudulent charges to your credit card.

Learn More About Identity Theft through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Call 1-877-382-4357 (877-FTC-HELP)
Visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Next Chapter: Preparing Your Income Tax

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Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information without your permission. It is a crime and creates financial chaos in people's lives. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years and a lot of money cleaning up the mess thieves leave behind.