Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is identity theft?
A: Identity theft occurs when someone other than you, uses your good name, credit history, Social Security Number (SSN) or other assets for their personal gain.

Q: Why are thieves stealing identities?
A: The three main reasons thieves are stealing identities are: for financial gain, to obtain a better life, or to cause you malicious harm.

Q: Who is at risk of becoming an identity theft victim?
A: Everyone is at risk. Identity theft occurs regardless of race, sex, age, or religion.

Q: What should I do if I think I am a victim of identity theft?
A: You should obtain a copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies. However, understand that this is only a snapshot of your credit history at a point in time. Review your credit report and look for any fraudulent information. After reviewing your credit report, if you feel you are a victim of identity theft you should notify the fraud departments of the credit bureaus and then follow our recovery checklist.

Q: How can I protect myself from identity theft?
A: Although you cannot completely eliminate your chances of becoming an identity theft victim, you can reduce your risk. Being aware of the latest prevention techniques is extremely important. These techniques will provide you with simple ways to protect your identity.

Q: How can an identity thief open up an account in my name?
A: By obtaining your personal information, an identity thief is able to open up an account in your name.

Q: How is an identity thief able to get access to my personal information?
A: There are a number of ways an identity thief can obtain a person’s personal information. Some ways they are able to obtain this information is: retrieving your personal papers from your garbage or an unsecured mailbox, pretending to be a legitimate business, stealing information at their place of employment, and by searching online.

Q: How long does it take to recover from an identity theft?
A: Recovering from identity theft varies. It depends on the severity of the identity theft. In most cases the recovery process is very time-consuming. There are a number of steps you must follow in order to regain your identity and clear your good name.