What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
When identity thieves get a hold of personal information, they may use it to: • Forge checks on your account and cash them at your bank to clear out your account • Clone your ATM or debit cards and make electronic withdrawals in your name • Open new credit card accounts in your name • Change the billing address on your credit card so you no longer receive the bills as they continue running up charges on the account • Commit phone or utilities fraud, opening up new accounts in your name • Open a bank account in your name and write bad checks • Take out major loans in your name and not pay off the debt • Begin an entire new life to hide their criminal record, getting a driver’s license or official I.D. using your name and their picture.
