The Various Types Of Identity Theft

The financial consequences of identity theft are well known. Credit card fraud, bad credit, bounced checks and unpaid debts run rampant due to people having their identity stolen. However, finance is not the only thing that can be harmed. Following is a list of the various 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.

Social Security number theft is one of the most serious forms of identity theft. With a stolen Social Security number someone can access just about any other piece of private information. Almost all identity theft happens because the person's Social Security number has been jeopardized. Tax information as well as bank statements and employment records all use 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.

Knowing these types of identity theft is vital to safety; if simply to understand that it is not only finance at risk. Character, health and transportation can all be affected as much as finance.

Article Source: http://www.search4allinfo.com

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