What is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

How Identity Theft Works:
The thief opens a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

The thief calls your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your imposter runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there's a problem.

     The thief starts a cellular phone service in your name.
     The thief opens a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.

You can minimize your risk simply by managing your personal information wisely. A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.

If you find yourself a victim to identity theft, immediately contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureau's and report that your identity has been stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. File a report with your local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company, or others need proof of the crime later on.