What Do Identity Thieves Do With A Stolen ID

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Identity Theft?
• How do identity thieves steal an identity?
• What do identity thieves do with a stolen identity?
• How can you find out if your identity has been stolen?
• What should you do if your identity is stolen?
• Should you file a police report if your identity is stolen?
• How long can the effects of identity theft last?
• What can you do to help fight identity theft?

What Do Identity Thieves Do With A Stolen Identity

Once identity thieves obtain individuals' personal information, they use it fraudulently in a variety of different ways.

Credit Card Fraud:

Thieves may open new credit card accounts in the person's name, and rack up charges. Once the credit card bills go unpaid, the deliquent accounts will appear on that person's credit report.

Identity thieves may also change the billing address on a person's credit card, so that they no longer receive bills. Once they stop receiving bills, the thieves will accrue charges on their account without them knowing, since the bills are redirected to a new location.

Phone or Utilities Fraud:

Thieves may open a new phone or wireless account in a person's name, or run up charges on existing accounts.

Thieves may also use a person's name fraudulently to receive utility services like electricity, heating or cable television.

Bank/Finance Fraud:

Identity thieves may create counterfeit checks using a person's name or their account number, open a bank account in their name and write bad checks, clone a person's ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals using their name, or thieves may take out a loan fraudulently.

Government Documents Fraud:

Thieves may obtain a driver's license, passport, or other official ID in another person's name but using their own photos.

Thieves may obtain government benefits illegally by using a person's name and social security number, and they may also file a fraudulent tax return using a person's information.

Other Fraud:

Identity thieves may get a job by using another person's SSN as well as rent a house or receive medical services fraudulently.

They may also give out that person's personal information to police during an arrest, and if the identity thieves do not show up to their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in that person's name.