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The Crime of Identity Theft Ruins Lives

The crime of identity theft is a growing problem in the United States. The crime of identity theft includes any criminal activity involving the assumption of someone else's name, social security number, financial information or other sensitive personal data with the intention of deception or fraud. Far too many of us are not as cautious as we should be with our personal data. We make it easy for anyone with criminal ideas to gain access to information that can be used to get credit, apply for loans or even assume our entire financial identity. We need to be aware of the dangers of the crime of identity theft, how to protect ourselves and what to do if we suspect someone else is using our personal data illegally.

The best way to protect yourself against the crime of identity theft is to jealously guard any personal identification numbers, such as your social security number or any bank account numbers. The crime of identity theft can occur in seemingly safe places like a public phone booth or an ATM. Never let someone get too close to you when using an ATM, for instance, and NEVER give out your social security number over the telephone. Always ask for a written application or documentation to be mailed to you. If the caller is operating “above board” then he or she will usually comply. If not, suspect that you might be a potential victim of identity theft and hang up. Another wise idea is to shred any credit applications that arrive at your home. At the very least, tear them up and make sure the pieces wind up in separate garbage bags. Lastly, because the checks we write pass into so many different hands, never put your social security number or any other information you want to protect on your checks.

Always review your bank statements and credit card bills carefully for anything unusual. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, you must act immediately. Close any accounts you think the thief may have access to. Notify the police. Also, contact one of the three major consumer-reporting companies who by law must notify the other two. Finally, let the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) know so that your incident of the crime of identity theft will go into a national tracking system.

The crime of identity theft can happen to anyone, and it can be devastating, both to your reputation and you finances. Do not become a victim. Educate yourself on the crime of identity theft. Refuse to be the next victim.