The DataBased You

The Five Major Types of Identity Theft and The DataBased You

Driver's License Identity Theft

Thieves use your information to acquire a driver?s license in your name or claim to be you during a traffic stop

• You could receive DWI, DUI, and other driving-related charges.
• Your driving privileges could be suspended or revoked.
• You could be arrested during a routine traffic stop for crimes you did not commit.

Social Security (SSN) Identity Theft

Thieves use your SSN Identity to gain employment or to report income under your name

• Thieves take the income, but don?t pay the taxes, leaving you with the bill.
• Wanted criminals use your SSN Identity so they can get employment without being found.
• Illegal immigrants use your SSN Identity to gain employment.
• Thieves and Criminals use your SSN for employment, medical, financial, criminal, school, and other purposes.

Medical Identity Theft

Thieves use your information for insurance benefits, Rx, Medicare, Medicaid benefits, or for medical tests

• Your rates could go up or your coverage could be cancelled or used up.
• You could owe thousands of dollars for a procedure you never had.
• You could be unable to obtain medical or life insurance, other coverage, and/or employment because of conditions that you do not have (AIDS, Diabetes etc?).

Character / Criminal Identity Theft

Thieves mask their criminal activity behind your identity

• You could be arrested.
• You could be denied employment because of fraudulent criminal records found during routine background checks.
• Security checkpoints at airports could become a nightmare for you.
• You could be denied a passport and be barred from leaving the country.

Financial Identity Theft

Thieves use your information to open new accounts or to gain access to existing accounts

• Thieves rob your accounts.
• They rack up outrageous charges on credit cards, take out new loans, and more.
• They destroy your credit, forcing you to pay higher rates.
• You can absolutely be held responsible for the debts incurred by the thieves in your name.

Jeffrey Omtvedt

(John Gardner and Jim McCartney contributed to this post.)