The Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs says it's reaching epidemic levels in Georgia. Attorney General Thurbert Baker has made fighting it one of his top priorities. Tonight in his special assignment report, Consumer Adviser Clark Howard shows you how protect your most valuable possession, your good name. Nicole Distasio is an identity theft victim. Somehow, somewhere, her social security number ended up in the wrong hands.
Most victims never know.
All an identity theft needs is a name and social security number to rob you blind. The crook gets a driver's license with your picture on it, a social security card, and boom - someone else has your identity. Now the criminal goes on wild shopping spree, and you get stuck with all the bills. And at some point and time, someone is going to knock on your door, or phone you, and say look, you owe us money. Guard your social security number.