What Is Criminal Identity Theft?

The umbrella of identity theft covers many areas. Most of us are familiar with the concept that someone takes another person’s information and uses it for personal gain. Another aspect is criminal identity theft. This involves giving someone else’s name after an auto accident, while getting pulled over by the cops, and pretending to be another person.

The minute that an individual gives a false name to a police officer they have committed criminal identity theft. It is even more profound if there are items found on that person such as a social security card, photo ID, or credit cards that have that other name on them. The people who live under such an identity can do so for many years before they get caught.

The Difference between Identify Theft and Criminal Identity Theft

Most people don’t know that their name has been associated with criminal identity theft until they are contacted by law enforcement. It can be a very traumatic experience and also cost a great deal of money to prove your innocence. Some people are devastated when they apply for a job or a loan to find out that there is a criminal record out there on them. In some cases these people have outstanding warrants as well.

As a victim, you have the burden of proving that criminal identity theft has taken place. It can be very difficult to prove and may take years to get the entire situation resolved. You may have to spend a fortune clearing your name in the process. It can take a toll on you physically and mentally as well. If you think something has taken place file a report with your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

One way you can protect your identity is  -

In The News...

Ledger - KISSIMMEE - Good Samaritan Village has kicked off its inaugural series of education programs for seniors with a seminar on identity theft and fraud - two crimes that often target the elderly. "Older people are very trusting," Carlos Morales, guest ...

dBusinessNews.com - ... and confidence in individual identities provided by L-1 Identity Solutions, government entities, law enforcement and border management agencies, and commercial enterprises can better guard the public against global terrorism, crime and identity theft ...

US News and World Report - As chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Deborah Platt Majoras is charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, and illegal business practices. Since her appointment in 2004, she has focused on identity-theft prevention through ...

TMCnet - As credit card fraud has become one of the most common forms of identity theft today, there's no wonder a number of consumers are demanding enhanced security and increased paying options. In the restaurant business, where credit cards are regularly ...

Patriot Ledger - District Court in Boston charged Johnson with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. It specified that the offenses occurred in Plymouth County and elsewhere in the state. Some of the counterfeit checks were cashed in Stop & Shop supermarkets ...