Identity theft is a serious crime in the United States, with over 9 million cases of identity theft each year. Without identity protection, you’re at risk of thousands of dollars in damages, and it may take many years to repair your credit and your name.
Identity theft protection services prevent this from happening. These services constantly scan the black market to search for people selling your confidential information. They monitor your credit report to make sure no undeserved negative marks appear on your credit. They scan thousands of databases to search for your personal information. And that’s just the beginning; read our in-depth reviews for more information.
There are a number of ways thieves can use the stolen data of other people for fraudulent crimes including:
• Bank Account/Credit Card Records – this is one of the main areas that thieves target and there are a number of ways they can use this information to commit fraud. The most common way is for thieves to trick you into revealing your own credit card or bank account numbers, or use sophisticated methods to clone your card, which they can then use to run up fraudulent charges for goods and services using your details. Also thieves can get hold of your own personal information and use it to set up new credit accounts in your name without your knowledge.
• Personal Details – even basic personal details such as your name, address and telephone numbers can be used to carry out fraudulent crimes, and commonly thieves can use this information to target you for scams (by phone, post and email) or they could apply for utilities, goods or services in your name, without your knowledge. Criminals could also use your details to mask other identities when applying for jobs, tax or benefits, especially if for illegal immigrants or those with criminal records.
• Key Identity Documents – there are a number of serious frauds that can be committed using key identity documents such as passports and drivers license, and these include masking the identity of illegal immigrants so they can enter different countries and also masking the identity of criminals so they can evade authorities and get charges filed under somebody else’s name.
• Medical Records – medical treatments can cost thousands of dollars every year, and so personal medical records can be targeted by thieves in order to carry out fraudulent claims for treatment, and also to masque the identity of illegal immigrants so that they can receive healthcare without coming to the attention of the authorities.
