Identity Theft.

Identity theft- using information that belongs to someone else without their permission. they commit fraud and other crimes
EX. Drivers license, Credit card.
Federal trade commission handles this. Estimates 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year

How do they do it?
-Dumpster Diving
-Skimming- Stealing numbers when processing your card (When you use it to pay, they can get it)
-Phishing- Pretending to be a financial institution (Bank)
-Changing Your Address.
-Old-Fashion Stealing
-Pretexting-Using false information to obtain information. (pretending to be a bank, and asking for credit card numbers)

What do they do with it?
-Credit card fraud
-Phone or Utility Fraud.
-Bank/Finance Fraud
-Government fraud
-Other Fraud

How can you find out if your identity was stolen?
-Monitor your cards, accounts,and bank statements
-check your credit report on a regular basis

Three Major Credit burrows Within the united states- you can get a free credit report each year from each one, they tell you what you bought and when.

What should you do?
-Call your credit card company Immediately
-File a police Report
-Check your credit Reports Monthly
-Notify other creditors
-Dispute any unauthorized transactions