Being victimized by fraud can be one of the worst experiences you can have. Besides the devastation of knowing that someone has taken advantage of you, the financial costs can be enormous and long lasting. This pamphlet will give you tips and resources to help you avoid fraud, report suspected fraud, and minimize the damage if it occurs. Identity thieves can get your personal information from a variety of sources. If you have sent credit card or other personal information over an unsecured Internet connection, it can easily be stolen.
Thieves can also derive information from discarded credit card receipts or bank records.
Sometimes, employees of companies will sell customers personal information to crooks. However they obtain it, criminals with your account number or social security number can impersonate you to obtain credit, get control of your personal accounts, or open new accounts. Once your identity has been stolen, criminals can withdraw money from your bank accounts, incur large credit card debts, or obtain loans or welfare benefits. Identity scams can go on for years without your knowl-edge, leaving you with a damaged reputation and ruined credit.