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1. Who are the victims of identity theft?

Banks and retail merchants as well as the account holder become victims when an individual uses accounts to which they are not entitled to use. The holder of the account even through protected by insurance or credit card reimbursement provisions may have to go through a difficult, expensive and lengthy process to reestablish their credit.

2. How does identity theft occur?

Offenders who commit identity theft may or may not be known to the victim. There are many ways the offender uses to obtain the victim's account information. Information can be obtained from trash bins at banks, mortgage firms, social or credit agencies, city-state federal agencies, obituaries and residential garbage cans. Bank statements and credit card statements can be stolen from mailboxes. Identity thieves work at locations which have access to your personal records such as, car dealerships, mortgages, collection agencies, utility services and telemarketer. Information can sometimes be found on the internet or commercial databases that are fee accessed. Information obtained from these sources is used to assume false identity.

3. What do you do if you are a victim of identity theft?

If you have been victimized by identity theft, you should take certain steps to protect yourself and minimize the consequences. Correcting the damage to your credit rating and good name may be tedious and time-consuming. As you speak to people on the phone, write down the names of the people you talk with, their positions, their responses, and the dates and times of your conversations. When sending correspondence through the mail, keep copies, and use registered mail with a return receipt requested. The post office can help you with the procedures for registered mail.