Thursday, January 7, 2010

Learn About Types of Identity Theft

Brief Overview on Identity Theft

The term Identity theft is used to illustrate any kind of fraudulent activities involving the unofficial treatment of your key personal information for their personal betterment and that too without your permission or knowledge. Identity theft occurs when a person or an organization steals all or some parts of your identity. It also happens when they adopt this critical piece of information for their own benefits. From stealing your social security card number and credit card information to driver’s license, employment, and bank details, Identity theft could come about in a number of ways. Mentioned below are some of the ways through which your essential business or personal data and identity is stolen.

Credit Card Identity Theft

Now, in the US, this sort of identity theft has become one of the severe issues faced by a lot of people. In three ways usually credit card identity theft could happen. That includes

  • Stealing your original credit card and using it in an illegal way, in so doing leaving credit in your own name
  • By using the details in your credit card, make a new credit card and utilizing it for buying items on the web
  • Also Credit card identity theft includes stealing your PIN (Personal Identification Number) rather than stealing the card, and using it to withdraw huge amount. This is done by obtaining your PIN number when you type it at the ATM counter to pull out cash from your credit card

Driver’s License Identity Theft

It is a serious fraudulent activity. It occurs when someone uses your driver’s license card to entrust traffic-related crimes in your name. In this case, to buy a new car in your name the identity thief uses your driver’s license. The actual problem sprouts up when a motor vehicle offence occurs, during which the crime would be charged in your name. In this case, you may get arrested and lose your auto insurance.

Social Security Identity Theft

Maybe this is the most stern of all types of identity thefts. In this case, a deceitful person or identity thief may utilize your social security card number to get other personal information, which may entail taking advantage of your good credit to put more credit in your name. For employment purposes some even use wrongly your social security number, and as a conclusion you will be left with a huge income tax bill.

Medical Identity Theft

You may have to face many consequences, as a result of this type of identity theft. The prominent being the thief uses your medical identity including insurance details to get medical treatment in your name.

Other different types of identity theft include online identity theft and criminal identity theft. In summary, whatever be the source or nature of identity theft, it is a serious issue. It affects the lives of many guiltless people by completely shattering their life.

More on different types of identity theft

No comments:

Post a Comment