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Listen to
these consumers . . .
Someone
used my Social Security number to get credit in my name.
This has caused a lot of problems. I have been turned
down for jobs, credit, and refinancing offers. This is
stressful and embarrassing. I want to open my own
business, but it may be impossible with this unresolved
problem hanging over my head.
From a
consumer complaint to the FTC, May 18, 1999
Someone is
using my name and Social Security number to open credit
card accounts. All the accounts are in collections. I
had no idea this was happening until I applied for a
mortgage. Because these "bad" accounts showed up on
my credit report, I didn't get the mortgage.
From a
consumer complaint to the FTC, July 13, 1999
ID thieves
steal personal information, such as a credit card
account number, Social Security number or driver’s
license number. Then they open up accounts in a
consumer’s name and run up charges on the account. Or,
they use the personal information to charge goods and
services to a consumer’s existing accounts. In other
cases, they may work, or even be arrested, while using
the victim’s name.
The harm to
a consumer’s credit and daily life can be devastating.
Victims of ID theft often have trouble getting new
credit cards or loans because of the damage to their
credit ratings.
According to
the ID Theft Data Clearinghouse, the most common types
of identity theft are:
- using or opening a
credit card account fraudulently
- opening
telecommunications or utility accounts fraudulently
- passing bad checks
or opening a new bank account
- getting loans in
another person’s name
- working in another
person’s name.
Source:
Identity Theft: Report, Testimony's, and Comments
Catching
Identity Theft Early
Sometimes an
ID thief can strike even when you've been very careful.
One of the best ways to catch identity theft is to
regularly check your credit record. Also, follow up
with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A
missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief
has taken over your credit card account and changed
your billing address to cover his tracks.
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