Recognizing Identity Theft

When you mention identity theft, many people probably think of someone opening a credit card in their name or getting a driver's license using their social security number.

However, identity thieves utilize a wide variety of means to benefit from your stolen identity.

Fraudulent Bank Account Activity

Fraudulent bank account activity can range from the use of stolen or counterfeit checks to withdraw funds from the victim's account or unauthorized electronic withdrawals from the victim's account by a transfer of funds or fraudulent use of your bank card. Identity thieves also can open a completely new bank account in the victim's name.

Bankruptcy Fraud

Bankruptcy fraud occurs when an identity thief files for bankruptcy in the victim's name. This type of identity theft can be challenging to fight. You will need to contact the U.S. Trustee to alert them to the fraudulent bankruptcy filing. You also might need to contact the U.S. Attorney or the FBI in the city in which the bankruptcy was filed.

Fraudulent Credit Card Activity

This form of identity theft occurs when an individual uses the victim's credit card information to make fraudulent purchases or uses the victim's social security number to open a new credit card in his or her name. If you discover fraudulent credit card activity, you will need to contact the credit card company within 60 days following the close of your first bill with the fraudulent charges.

Criminal Violations

If an individual using your social security number or a driver's license in your name commits a crime, that violation will come back to you. Many times, people do not realize that they are victims of this type of identity theft until they discover that an arrest warrant for them has been written.

Investment Fraud

Investment fraud can occur when the victim's identity is fraudulently used to tamper with his or her securities investments or brokerage accounts. If you discover such activity, you will need to contact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Investor Education and Assistance as well as your state's securities regulatory agency.

Medical Identity Theft

Medical identity theft involves an individual using the victim's personal information to obtain or receive payment for medical treatment. Such fraudulent activity can cause the victim's medical records to be inaccurate, which can seriously impact the victim's ability to obtain proper medical care and insurance benefits.

Mail Theft

In addition to the blatant theft of one's mail, this form of identity theft can involve the perpetrator falsifying a change-of-address in the victim's name. Mail theft also can occur when a person's personal information is obtained through fraudulent business conducted by mail.

Phone Fraud

Phone fraud occurs when the identity thief establishes phone service in the victim's name, makes unauthorized calls that appear to come from the victim's cell phone or uses the victim's calling card and PIN to make unauthorized calls.

Fraudulent Student Loans

This form of identity theft occurs when the identity thief uses the victim's personal information to obtain education loans. If you are the victim of fraudulent student loans, you will need to contact the school or program that opened the student loan to request that the loan be closed.