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Identity Theft
Identity theft is a form of fraud in which
someone pretends to be someone else by assuming
that person's identity. Typically the goal is
to access resources or obtain credit and other
benefits in that person's name. The victims of
identity theft can be individual or
organizations, and the consequences of identity
theft can be far-reaching. Americans think
nothing of writing their name, phone number or
social security number on any form, but it's an
open invitation to an identity thief.
Types of Identity Theft
There are several types of identity theft:
* business/commercial identity theft (using
another's business name to obtain credit)
* criminal identity theft (posing as another
person when apprehended for a crime)
* financial identity theft (using another's
identity to obtain credit, goods and
services)
* identity cloning (using another's information
to assume his or her identity in daily
life)
* medical identity theft (using another's
identity to obtain medical care or drugs)
Identity theft may be used to facilitate or
fund other crimes including illegal
immigration, terrorism, and espionage. There
are cases of identity cloning to attack payment
systems, including online credit card
processing and medical insurance.
Identity thieves occasionally impersonate
others for non-financial reasons—for
instance, to receive praise or attention for
the victim's achievements
Consequences of Identity Theft
Thieves can steal your name, address, bank or
credit card number, and Social Security number
to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft
victims can have their credit ruined, their
bank accounts drained and their retirement
benefits stolen. If your credit is destroyed,
you might not be able to get a new job, a loan,
a car, or a house. You could even be arrested
for crimes you didn't commit. If you have been
a victim of identity theft, it's important to
contact an attorney who can help you get your
identity and your life back.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
Thieves can steal information from your
employer, or by rummaging through your trash.
Some more sophisticated methods include posing
as a landlord or employer to get a copy of your
credit report, or stealing credit and debit
card numbers as your card is being
processed.
Sometimes an identity thief can strike even if
you've been very careful about keeping your
personal information to yourself. If you
suspect that your personal information has been
hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or
theft, take action immediately, and keep a
record of your conversations and
correspondence.
What to do if you are a victim of Identity
Theft
Exactly which steps you should take to protect
yourself depends on your circumstances and how
your identity has been misused. However, three
basic actions are appropriate in almost every
case.
1. Contact the fraud departments of each of
the three major credit bureaus.
Tell them that you're an identity theft victim.
Request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your
file, as well as a victim's statement asking
that creditors call you before opening any new
accounts or changing your existing accounts.
This can help prevent an identity thief from
opening additional accounts in your name. At
the same time, order copies of your credit
reports from the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus
must give you a free copy of your report if
your report is inaccurate because of fraud, and
you request it in writing. Review your reports
carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent
accounts have been opened in your name or
unauthorized changes made to your existing
accounts. Also, check the section of your
report that lists "inquiries." Where
"inquiries" appear from the company(ies) that
opened the fraudulent account(s), request that
these "inquiries" be removed from your report.
In a few months, order new copies of your
reports to verify your corrections and changes,
and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has
occurred.
2. Contact the creditors for any accounts
that have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently.
Creditors can include credit card companies,
phone companies and other utilities, and banks
and other lenders. Ask to speak with someone in
the security or fraud department of each
creditor, and follow up with a letter. It's
particularly important to notify credit card
companies in writing because that's the
consumer protection procedure the law spells
out for resolving errors on credit card billing
statements. Immediately close accounts that
have been tampered with and open new ones with
new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and
passwords.
3. File a report with your local police or
the police in the community where the identity
theft took place.
Get a copy of the police report in case the
bank, credit card company or others need proof
of the crime. Even if the police can't catch
the identity thief in your case, having a copy
of the police report can help you when dealing
with creditors.
4. Contact an experienced attorney to
represent your interests until your money has
been recovered, your credit has been restored,
and you have your identity
back.
Please fill out the "Legal Help
Request Form" above to get the legal help that
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