Identity Theft Tips Identity theft occurs when someone takes over a person's account or opens a new one in another consumer's name.
Credit bureaus report thousands of calls per day relating to identity theft.
This is one of the fastest growing complaint categories nationwide. Do not carry your Social Security Card around with you. Guard your Social Security Number carefully. Do not put it on any document unless legally required and do not use it for identification purposes. Businesses can ask for it, but you do not have to give it out.