What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when an individual or a group of individuals gains access to your personal data, such as Social Security number, birth date, credit card numbers, bank account information etc. They may then choose to use this information fraudulently, possibly affecting your credit and financial history and future.
Identity theft or identity fraud (true name fraud) is the taking of the victim s identity to obtain credit, credit cards from banks and retailers, steal money from the victim s existing accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy or obtain a job using the victim s name. The Impersonator steals thousands of dollars in the victim s name without the victim even knowing about it for months or even years. Recently criminals have been using the victim s identity to commit crimes ranging form traffic infractions to felonies.
Identity theft is when someone steals personal information, such as your bank account details, to use your identity fraudulently. Computer viruses are very often connected to identity theft in that they can expose your computer to hackers who want to steal your information. To prevent identity theft, you should always use a firewall on your computer. PCguard includes a Firewall free of charge.
Identity theft is not new, but the popularity of the internet has made it one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Any time someone uses your personal information — you name, address, Social Security Number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, medical records or driver’s license information — without your knowledge with the intent to commit fraud or other crimes, that’s identity theft. Basically, a criminal pretends to be you to take your money or commit other crimes in your name.
