Consumer Reports Update
Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other piece of your personal information to apply for a credit card, make unauthorized purchases, gain access to your bank accounts or obtain loans under your name – all without your permission. Many people are unaware that they have become victims of identity theft until it is too late. If you have experienced unauthorized charges on credit card statements or bank account statements, or are being denied a mortgage or loan due to an unexplained bad credit report, you may be a victim of identity theft.
There is nothing more frightening than to find out you have become a victim of identity theft. In today's increasingly connected world, criminals have found new ways to access your personal information via the Internet or even through your purchases at local stores. Your social security number is the most valuable tool for criminals to illegally obtain employment, open credit card accounts and receive loans under your name. If you lose your social security number, you can obtain a new one through the Social Security Administration.
But your social security number is not the only way that criminals can steal your identity, gaining access to your finances and damaging your credit in the process. They can steal your credit card numbers, access your banking information through your account numbers, and open unauthorized cellular phone service under your name.
Always be careful about giving out your social security number, credit card number, bank account number or other important financial information, especially to sources that you do not fully trust. Below are several recommendations to help you reduce your risk of identity theft. If you are already a victim of identity theft, the Federal Government and the State of Illinois have many resources to help you, also listed below.
