| Identity theft is one of those crimes that | | | | disappeared and/or moved on to victimize |
| most people have heard of, but not everyone | | | | another person. |
| understands how it occurs. The act of | | | | |
| committing this malicious crime may be simple | | | | * You receive calls or notices about |
| or complex, and can bring great financial | | | | merchandise you did not buy. |
| pain to its victim. Don't let that victim be | | | | |
| you. | | | | * Debts appear on your credit reports that |
| | | | you did not file. This is significant. Even |
| Identity theft occurs when a person uses | | | | though the criminal might have your |
| another person's identity as well as personal | | | | statements mailed to a different location, |
| financial information as their own. Purchases | | | | you know your personal information and can |
| are typically made using the identity of the | | | | check your credit report at any time. The |
| victim, with the intent to leave the victim | | | | criminal has no way to stop you from doing |
| responsible for the bill. This crime is done | | | | this. |
| without the knowledge of the victim. When the | | | | |
| victim finally becomes aware of the crime, | | | | AS you might imagine, identity theft is a |
| the criminal has disappeared into oblivion, | | | | nightmare come to life for the millions of |
| leaving behind a victim with ruined credit, a | | | | people who have fallen victim to this |
| mountain of debt, and a tainted reputation. | | | | horrendous crime. Sadly, despite stricter |
| Not a pretty situation to be in. | | | | financial transaction processes, higher |
| | | | public awareness of the crime, and the |
| In extreme cases, the implications of | | | | imposition of state and federal laws, the |
| identity theft can result in the wrongful | | | | number of identity theft victims continues to |
| arrest of the victim. On the face of the | | | | rise each year. |
| evidence, it is easy for the police | | | | |
| investigator to assume that the victim made | | | | In the United States and Canada, many people |
| multiple expensive purchases having | | | | have reported unauthorized persons |
| absolutely no intention of ever paying. | | | | withdrawing funds from their personal bank or |
| Criminals who engage in identity theft are | | | | financial accounts. More serious cases have |
| clever and know the credit card system | | | | seen victims reporting a thief who has |
| intimately. They know ways of charging far | | | | totally taken over their identities. In these |
| more than a credit limit on a single card. | | | | cases, thieves have run up huge debts and |
| Without actual proof that identity theft has | | | | committed crimes, all under the name of the |
| occurred, it can be assumed that the victim | | | | victim. |
| is guilty of the crimes committed under his | | | | |
| name. Identity theft is a serious crime, and | | | | The United States Congress created a new |
| victims can suffer the implications and | | | | federal law against identity theft in 1998. |
| consequences of the crime for years to come. | | | | In spite of the tough laws now on the books, |
| | | | identity theft is more prevalent than ever. |
| Identity theft takes many different forms. | | | | Once you have fallen victim, it is obviously |
| Some cases involve a thief repeatedly | | | | too late to prevent the crime from being |
| withdrawing large sums of cash from another | | | | committed against you. In this instance, |
| person's bank account, until the account | | | | grandma was right: an ounce of prevention is |
| balance is nil. Other cases may involve the | | | | worth a pound of cure. And that is an |
| thief assuming another person's name and | | | | understatement. |
| using their personal information to obtain a | | | | |
| loan. | | | | Here are some steps to help you avoid being a |
| | | | victim of identity theft. |
| Armed with the victim's personal data, an | | | | |
| identity thief can obtain a driver's license, | | | | 1. Shred any documents with personal |
| open new lines of credit and bank accounts, | | | | information on them. Thieves are known to dig |
| and even buy a car and get a mortgage. All | | | | through household trash to find this |
| paperwork, bills and financial statements | | | | information. Shred it to foil their attempts. |
| from these transactions are sent to the | | | | |
| thief's temporary address, so the victim | | | | 2. Be vary careful about giving out your |
| initially does not know that a crime has been | | | | social security number. Guard it like you |
| committed in his name. Once the plan has been | | | | would guard your life, because in a sense, |
| activated, the thief uses the victim's credit | | | | you are guarding your financial life. Only |
| line for all it is worth in the form of cash | | | | give it out when absolutely necessary, and |
| advances, loans and credit card debt without | | | | only to parties that are entirely |
| the intent to pay. All of these crimes occur | | | | trustworthy. |
| with the thief hidden in a shroud of | | | | |
| anonymity. Who is the criminal? All merchants | | | | 3. Be careful about storing personal |
| assume he who he represents himself to be, | | | | financial data on your computer and sending |
| but he is representing himself to be the | | | | it over the internet. Use passwords that do |
| victim. The actual identity of the criminal | | | | not make any sense. Most people use their |
| isn't revealed. When the debts come to light, | | | | birthdays, names of children, or other |
| the victim is left holding the bag of bills | | | | easy-to-guess types of passwords. Don't make |
| and the thief has long since disappeared into | | | | it easy for a criminal to get into your |
| complete anonymity. It can take years to | | | | account info electronically. |
| recover, both financially and emotionally, | | | | |
| from identity theft. | | | | 4. Never place your tax return in your |
| | | | mailbox, stamped, with the flag up to let the |
| Here are some warning signs that you may have | | | | postman know to pick up mail! Criminals are |
| fallen victim to identity theft: | | | | known to drive around neighborhoods during |
| | | | tax season looking for flags. Your tax return |
| * You are billed for a credit card that you | | | | contains vital financial information. Always |
| did not open, although wiser criminals will | | | | bring it to the post office to mail it. |
| not have the bill sent to you. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Check your credit report regularly. Sign |
| * There are unauthorized notice charges on | | | | up for a plan if necessary. However, make |
| your credit card statement. | | | | sure that your inquiries will not be counted |
| | | | against your credit score. Too many inquiries |
| * Bills or credit statements fail to arrive | | | | in a short period will negatively affect your |
| when you expect them. This can indicate that | | | | score, so make certain that your own |
| the address has been changed without your | | | | inquiries to verify the safety of your file |
| knowledge. The criminal does not want you to | | | | will not be counted against you. |
| be aware while he is in the process of using | | | | |
| your accounts, so he has the statements sent | | | | Our personal records are stored in many |
| somewhere else, by going through the proper | | | | different places in today's world. Banks, |
| change of address procedures. | | | | hospitals, employers, government agencies, |
| | | | brokerage accounts, etc. all have our vital |
| * Unauthorized transfers or withdrawals show | | | | financial information within their records. |
| on your bank statements. This is a huge red | | | | Put into practice these five steps above, and |
| flag and should be investigated immediately. | | | | only give your information to companies that |
| | | | you fully trust. By doing so, you'll greatly |
| * Collection agencies call about accounts you | | | | decrease the odds that you'll fall victim to |
| never opened. Again, this does not usually | | | | identity theft. |
| happen until after the criminal has | | | | |