What Is Identity Theft?

Most of us think of credit card charges when we think of Identity Theft. But you should know identity theft is a crime that can affect other aspects of your life in even more terrifying ways.

Financial – You could have thieves running up tens or even hundreds of thousands in credit in your name and then disappearing leaving you holding the bill.

Criminal – If a criminal gave false information containing your identity when arrested by the police you could be arrested and thrown in jail, over and over again.

Social Security – If you social security number is used illegally you could get calls from IRS agents insisting you owe taxes on a job you never had.  Also, someone could use your SSN to file taxes before you have a chance to, keeping you for getting a return you are entitled to until you can prove you are innocent.

Children – Children identities are very valuable to a thief.  Not thinking or knowing to check your child’s credit history means years could go by before you find out your child can’t get a loan to go to college because, as a toddler, a thief built up tens of thousands in bad credit using their identity.

Medical – Medical identity theft can be not only costly but potentially lethal.  You could get a bill for thousands for a surgery you never had, only to be faced with the horror that wrong medical information, including a different blood type, which could be deadly, now exists in your records.