Most people including businesses still have the misconception about what identity fraud theft is. Most think it's when someone steals credit card information and uses the information to buy things. That's only a small portion of it. A person who commits identity fraud theft can rent an apartment, receive medical care and establish various accounts-all with a stolen id.

Here are some examples:

Financial or credit: Loans can be made or new accounts created in your name. You may need a legal services attorney help to stop collection calls and have your credit restored. As a proactive action a credit monitoring service can watch your credit report and alert you of any new and possibly fraudulent actvity.

Social Security number: When someone uses your SSN to obtain employment, you become the victim of identity fraud theft. The thief's income is reported to the IRS under your number and you're expected to pay the taxes on those earnings. A legal services attorney can work with the IRS on your behalf to get the matter corrected.

Driver's License: When a thief using a fake ID with your driver's license number is pulled over for a DWI, it's your record that is at risk. A legal services attorney can have your record corrected with the police and insurance company.

Medical: Your medical record lets hospitals and doctors know how to best treat you. It's also used by insurance companies to determine whether to offer you coverage and the rates you'll pay. If someone uses your insurance to obtain medical treatment or prescriptions, your medical recrd can be affected. Without an attorneys assistance, it is extremely difficult to have your records corected.

Criminal or Character: When someone commits a crime while impersonating you, you've been the victim of identity fraud theft.  If your name appears on a sexual crimes list in your county or state, you could lose or be denied employment. Not only will you need help getting your criminal record corrected to eliminate arrest warrants, you'll need help removing your name from watchdog lists.

Here are some percentage break downs to show how victim's information is misused:
 
  • Credit card theft 25%
  • Bank fraud 16%
  • Loan fraud 5%
  • Phone and utilities fraud 16%
  • Employment related fraud 14%
  • Government documents or benefits fraud 10%
  • Other identity theft 24%
  • Attempted identty fraud theft 6%

Total is greater then 10% because some identity fraud theft complaints include more than one typr of iidentity fraud theft. From FTC's Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Report, 2/07

Identity Fraud Theft Protection