Six Common Forms of Identity Theft

You’ve probably heard a number of things about Identity Theft, mainly that you can lose money.  The media told us quite a bit about Financial Identity Theft, but not the whole story there are now six types of Identity Theft.

1. Driver's License Identity Theft. - Someone commits traffic related offenses in your name. When the identity thief fails to appear in court, warrants are issued in your name.
2. Social Security Number (SSN) Identity Theft. - Someone steals your SSN and obtains employment in your name. The thief's employer reports wages earned to the IRS under your SSN leaving you to pay income taxes on these earnings. Further, an identity thief's use of your SSN can cause you to lose life sustaining benefits.
3. Medical Identity Theft. -  Someone steals your identity and either obtains medical insurance in your name or uses your current medical insurance policy to obtain treatment or prescriptions. You can be denied health coverage or lose your current health coverage because of false information placed in your medical record.
4. Character or Criminal Identity Theft - Someone impersonates you and commits a crime in your name resulting in warrants issued in your name, arrests made, and time spent in jail.
5. Financial Identity - Someone uses your information to obtain loans, goods, or services and does not pay the bills. The accumulating unpaid bills end up going to collection, which can affect your credit. 
6. Synthetic Identity Theft - is when someone takes part your personal information and combines it with another part of someone else’s information to create a new Identity.

That’s why in today’s world it is important for us to know about identity theft and take measures to protect ourselves. So to start out let’s dispel some of the myths surrounding identity theft.

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Contact Biewer & Associates
Independent Associates - Pre-Paid Legal, Inc.
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists ^TM

Phone: 920.924.9928
Fax: 888.539.5962
Email: biewer@biewerassociates.com

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Biewer & Associates
N5211 County Rd. Y
Oakfield, WI 53065