Identity Theft Reviewed

Identity theft has made headline after headline over the past decade or so. The amount of identity thefts occurring each year is booming due to the Internet and people not being as guarded with their personal information as they used to be. Identity theft can happen in many different ways from unauthorized credit card use to someone actually becoming YOU in some other part of the country or world.

Credit Card Fraud

By far the most common type of identity theft is credit card fraud. This is basically when someone gets a hold of your credit card number and uses it to buy things without your knowledge. It used to be harder because the criminal would need to know some personal information or provide ID. With the Internet, it’s become much easier for anyone to use a credit card number no matter where it came from. It can take a while to become aware of this type of theft because the criminal will often have bills sent to an address that isn’t yours.

Utilities Fraud

Believe it or not, for some people, it can be almost impossible to have a utility bill in their name. They may have just moved or simply don’t pay their bills. These people can use your personal information to establish an account with an energy provider, cable service, or phone service. Sometimes you may not know this is going on because these thieves will actually pay their bills on time to avoid being discovered. Eventually, they will stop paying and you will be notified.

Other Identity Theft Types

There are tons of ways someone can use your personal information to benefit themselves. They can attempt to get social security, open checking/banking accounts, apply for loans, and rarely, try to use them for employment purposes.

The best way to protect yourself is always have your credit card provider and bank notify you immediately if there is any unusual activity. Most places will provide this service free of charge but if not, it’s worth looking into some other type of program that will help keep your information secure.