Miscellaneous Forms of Identity Theft
Paul Wilcox
Everyone knows the financial results of identity theft. Credit card fraud, poor credit, bounced checks and unpaid debt are common place due to stolen identities. Finance is not the only thing that can be ruined. Here is a list of some other types of identity theft.
Other Kinds of Identity Theft
The first type is character identity theft. You may be a risk of being charged with a crime if your character identity has been stolen. You may even end up spending time in prison. Character identity usually happens when your driver's license is stolen and the number used. Your driver's license is your most important piece of identification after you Social Security number. If your character identity is stolen you may not be able to find work because of unfavorable background checks.
Theft of a Social Security number is one of the most serious types of identity theft. Anyone who has access to a persons Social Security number can gain access to virtually every other piece of identifying information about them. Almost all cases of identity theft were caused due to the victims Social Security number being compromised. Tax information, employment records and bank statements all depend on it for identification.
Medical benefits may also be compromised. Your Social Security number is also used as Medicare identification. You may be unable to pay for prescriptions and medical care without Medicare. Health records may end up containing false information and it may be hard to get health insurance. It becomes harder to get a lower insurance rate if they think you are unhealthy.
Traffic violations are yet another consequence " drivers license theft is one of the more insidious types of identity theft. Using a drivers license, a criminal can get auto insurance under the victims number and refuse to make payments, harming credit in the process. Also, any traffic violation incurred under a particular license number shows up on record, increasing auto insurance prices.
Credit theft is probably the most familiar type of ID theft. This happens when someone acquires bank account information such as PIN numbers or credit cards. With just this little piece of information, they can apply for a loan in your name, do online transactions or even empty out your bank account. Very often the victim isn't even aware this has happened until the bill collectors call looking for the money owed for items bought.
Being aware of these types of ID theft will help keep you safe. You need to realize that finance is just one. Character and health and transportation can also be at risk.
About the Author:
Is your internet security protecting you as well as you think? You'll be amazed how many people are fooling themselves that they're safe. Get more information about how to be sure you're well protected on the Security Manor website .
|
