Are You A Victim Of Identity Theft?

Introduction
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. Identity thieves don't steal your money; they steal your name and reputation and use them for their own financial gain. They attempt to steal your future! Identity theft literally steals who you are, and it can seriously jeopardize your financial future. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didnt make or until you're contacted by a debt collector.

Result
Once they have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways. Criminals use identity theft to fraudulently obtain identification cards, driver licenses, birth certificates, social security numbers, travel visas and other official government papers. An identity thief may obtain your identifying information by stealing credit card applications, bank statements, or checks from your trash or mail, finding your lost or stolen wallet or purse, hacking your credit card number from a corporate database, or stealing your information from inside a company that holds it.

• When they use the cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.
• You receive bills from a credit account you did not open.
• You see unauthorized charges on your credit, long distance, or bank accounts.
• You are contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt you did not incur.
• You are turned down for a credit card, loan, mortgage, or other form of credit due to unauthorized debts on your credit report.

Conclusion
Identity theft is the nation's fastest growing crime according to FBI statistics and identity theft/fraud is the fastest-growing category of Federal Trade Commission FTC complaints.While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend thousands of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. The unfortunate reality of identity theft is that it is you, the victim, who is responsible for cleaning up the mess and re-establishing your good name and credit.

To learn more about how easily you can become a victim and how to prevent it Click Here!