Identity theft occurs when
an unauthorized party uses your personally identifying information
, such as your name, address, Social Security Number (SSN), or credit card or bank account information to assume your identity in order to commit fraud or other criminal acts.
What are the 3 types of identity theft?
The three most common types of identity theft are
financial, medical and online
. Learn how you can prevent them and what to do if they happen to you.
What are some examples of identity theft?
- Stolen Checks. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check verification companies. …
- ATM Cards. …
- Fraudulent Change of Address. …
- Social Security Number Misuse. …
- Passports. …
- Phone Service. …
- Driver License Number Misuse. …
- False Civil and Criminal Judgements.
What are the elements of identity theft?
There are four main types of identity theft:
(1) obtaining and using another’s information without their consent for an unlawful purpose
, (2) obtaining and using another’s information without their consent to commit fraud, (3) selling, transferring or conveying another’s personal information without their consent with …
What are the 5 types of identity theft?
- Financial identity theft. …
- Tax identity theft. …
- Medical identity theft. …
- Employment identity theft. …
- Child identity theft. …
- Senior identity theft.
What is the minimum sentence for identity theft?
Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of
imprisonment for two years or by imprisonment for five years if it relates to a
terrorism offense. At least thus far, the government has rarely prosecuted the five-year terrorism form of the offense.
What might Identity thieves do with your identity?
Identity thieves can
steal your personal information directly
or indirectly by: Stealing your wallets and purses containing identification cards, credit cards and bank information. Stealing your mail including credit and bank statements, phone or utility bills, new checks, and tax information.
What is the most common cause of identity theft?
Among the leading causes of identity theft,
data breaches
stand out as they can rapidly impact a massive group of people. Consider the 2013 Target incident, where hackers gained access to the credit card information of millions of shoppers at the major national retailer.
How can I find out if someone is using my identity?
- Track what bills you owe and when they’re due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.
- Review your bills. …
- Check your bank account statement. …
- Get and review your credit reports.
How do you prove identity theft?
- The Identity Theft Affidavit you filed with the FTC;
- Government-issued photographic ID (such as a state ID card or driver’s license);
- Proof of your home address (like a utility bill or rent agreement);
- Proof of the theft (bills from creditors or notices from the IRS); and.
Are identity thieves ever caught?
Are identity thieves ever caught? Identity theft statistics for 2020
are not available yet
; however, 2006 research showed that federal authorities arrest only 0.14% of the criminals (one person in 700 identity theft suspects).
How do you beat identity theft charges?
You might be able to defend against an identity theft charge by arguing that you did not have the intent to collect someone’s personal identifying information or to use another person’s personal identifying information in your possession, or that you did not intend to use another’s personal identifying information for …
What is the best way to report identity theft?
Report Identity Theft. Report identity (ID) theft to
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov
or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect the details of your situation.
How can we avoid identity theft?
- Freeze your credit. …
- Safeguard your Social Security number. …
- Be alert to phishing and spoofing. …
- Use strong passwords and add an authentication step. …
- Use alerts. …
- Watch your mailbox. …
- Shred, shred, shred. …
- Use a digital wallet.
What can someone do with your identity?
- buy things with your credit cards.
- get new credit cards.
- open a phone, electricity, or gas account.
- steal your tax refund.
- get medical care.
- pretend to be you if they are arrested.
What are the 2 types of identity theft?
- Financial Identity Theft. Financial identity theft is by far the most common type of identity theft. …
- Medical Identity Theft. …
- Criminal Identity Theft. …
- Child Identity Theft. …
- Identity Cloning & Concealment. …
- Synthetic Identity Theft. …
- Mitigate Your Risk.
