What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is the unauthorized use or your personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission reports there are six main categories of identity theft with numerous variations under each. Regardless of type or category, you should know this: No one is immune, and ID Theft Assist has the resources to deal with all types of identity theft. The categories are:

  1. Credit/Financial
  2. Social Security
  3. Driver’s License
  4. Criminal
  5. Medical
  6. Synthetic
  1. Credit/Financial
    • Open new accounts using your identification
    • Washing ink from your personal check and writing in a larger amount
    • Most fraud occurs with existing accounts, not the opening of new accounts
  2. Social Security
    • Use your social security number to gain employment
    • File fraudulent tax returns to get refunds using your social security number
    • Illegal aliens purchasing social security numbers to gain employment
  3. Drivers License / Government Documents
    • Get a driver’s license or other form of ID using your name and their picture
    • Obtain government benefits using your information
    • Your driving record is reviewed for such areas as employment, car insurance, etc.
  4. Criminal
    • Gives your personal information during a traffic violation and fails to appear in court
    • Present a driver’s license containing your information during an arrest
    • You could be arrested for a crime you did not commit
  5. Medical
    • Uses your personal information to receive medical benefits
    • You are denied coverage for a pre-existing condition you never had
    • The thief’s medical history can become your medical history
  6. Synthetic
    • Pieces of various people’s identities are used to create a new identity
    • Create a new identity using all fake information
    • Mixing of information does not often reach your credit report

How does it happen?

The methods are vast and it may have to you or someone you knew. Here are some ways how a thief might get access to your personal information:

  • Change of Address — divert your billing statements to another location,
  • Dumpster Diving — sifting through residential or commercial trash bins looking for identifying information such as pre-approved credit card applications,
  • Old-Fashioned Stealing — wallets, purses, mail, new checks, files, laptops, etc.,
  • Pharming — redirecting legitimate website traffic to another bogus website,
  • Phishing — fraudulent emails asking you to confirm identifying personal information,
  • Skimming — theft of credit card numbers by using a small specialized storage device when processing your card,
  • Uncommon and Common Sources of Information —
    • ATM machines
    • Car dealerships
    • Corporate data breaches (hacked websites, stolen documents, etc.)
    • County Government Offices (keepers of marriage, birth/death certificates, etc.)
    • Children’s bank or savings accounts
    • Discount Clubs
    • Employers (current and former)
    • Medical Centers
    • Restaurants (skimming)
    • Social Security Administration
    • Valet Parking — contents of your car (laptop, briefcase, car title, etc.)