What is Identity Theft or Identity Fraud?
Identity theft or identity fraud (true name fraud) is the criminal act of taking a victim’s identity for the purpose of obtaining credit, credit cards from banks and/or retailers, stealing money from the victim’s existing accounts, applying for loans in the victim’s name, establishing accounts with utility companies, leasing automobiles and residences, filing bankruptcy, and/or even obtaining employment. Identity thieves often steal thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims, in the victim’s own name, without the victim knowing about the fraud for months or sometimes years. Recently, identity thieves have used unsuspecting victim’s identities to commit crimes ranging from traffic infractions to felonies. How Does Identity Theft Occur? All that is needed is a little information, such as your social security number, birth date, address, phone number, or any other information which can be discovered. Armed with this identifying information, and possibly a false driver’s license with t
