How
Identity Theft Affects You
How Your Personal Information Is Used
 Identity thieves commonly open new banking
accounts in your name. Often, they apply for new credit cards
using your personal
information, make fraudulent charges, and leave the bills unpaid.
It is also usual for them to set up telephone or other utility
services in your name and not pay for it eventually. Some victims
have found that identity thieves applied for loans, apartments,
exclusive club memberships and mortgages.
Thieves have been
known to print counterfeit checks in a victim’s
name. Thieves also often access your existing bank accounts
and credit reports. They may take money from your existing
accounts, make charges on your credit cards, and use your
checks and credit to make down payments for cars, furniture,
jewellery,
and other pricey items. They can even file for government
benefits including unemployment insurance and tax refunds.
Regrettably,
thieves often use a stolen identity repeatedly.
It is not uncommon for victims to learn that thieves have
opened and accessed numerous accounts, very often over
a long period
of time of being unaware of what is happening.
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