The major reason that the law compels anyone who wishes to alter his or her name to publish it in a newspaper is to make it public record. Otherwise, anybody might choose to change their name in order to evade debt, perpetrate fraud, or disparage others. Publishing your name change in a newspaper makes it clear to everyone concerned that the change has been approved by the community. In addition, under most state laws, a person must announce any name change in a local newspaper within a certain time period after the change takes effect. Failure to do so may result in a claim for damages against the person by any victim of an attempted identity theft due to denial of service as well as other legal consequences. Some states require only one publication in either a newspaper or magazine. Other states require that the notice be published in several newspapers or magazines over a specified period of time. For example, in some states a person must publish a name change in a local newspaper every time they move to a new city for a period of time after the move. If the person fails to do so, they may be required to pay damages. Finally, some states require that a person publish a name change on their own website if they are able to do so. Again, if the person fails to do so, they may be required to pay damages. Names are important.