Testimonials

My purse was stolen two years ago. Shortly afterward, someone with a fake Iowa driver's license with my name but another woman's picture on it received new credit cards (again in my name) and went on a shopping spree. It didn't stop there, since she was also able to drain my checking account with the fake identification. All in all, this woman stole about $40,000 in cash and merchandise. It took about 6 months to straighten out the damage this woman caused me.

-Cassandra P., Iowa

I started receiving "delinquent payment" notices from my credit card companies and utilities (much to my surprise, since I always wrote the checks out and put them in the mailbox a week before they were due). Someone had taken my outgoing mail, washed the checks and cashed them.

-Don G., Pennsylvania

I was a victim of a "phishing" scam. I received an email from what appeared to be the billing center of my internet provider stating there had been a billing error and I needed to update my information immediately or I would lose service. When I clicked on the hyperlink, it directed me to a site asking for my Social Security number, bank account and routing numbers, as well as other information. Bam! My identity was stolen just like that!

-Melissa R., New Jersey

It began with phone calls from the mortgage company asking why I was late on my payment on my house in New York. The problem was, I didn't own a house in New York. In fact, I'd never been to New York! Then came the call on the motorcycle that I didn't own either. Pretty soon it was the credit card companies. I don't know how, someone was buying some big-ticket items in my name and I was expected to foot the bill!

-Derek T., Kentucky

I didn't know I was a victim of Identity Theft until I applied for a passport for a trip I was planning to Europe. Apparently, an old college roommate had assumed my identity by using my name and personal information to secure an apartment, buy a car and obtain a passport. After a lengthy investigation, it was found that the passport issued to my imposter was indeed fraudulent. When she attempted to return to our country after a trip abroad, she was apprehended.

-Amanda C., California

As a new graduate, my daughter posted her resume online at a reputable career search sites. In no time, she received a response from a company who was ready to hire her. Since they offered direct deposit, they needed her Social Security number, bank account number, etc. to expedite the process. Thankfully, she didn't feel comfortable divulging this information without further communication with the company. As it turns out, the "company" she was hired to work for doesn't exist, she was a target of a "job phishing" scam.

-Linda S., Nevada

I received an email from a man claiming to be the attorney for a deceased person thought to be a relative of mine. This person was leaving behind a large inheritance and the attorney needed to find a blood relative to disperse the funds. The attorney wanted my mother's maiden name along with other personal information to determine if I was indeed family. I wasn't comfortable with giving that information out without a little background check, so when I began asking specific questions of the "attorney", the emails stopped.

-Dave B., Maine

After becoming the victim of Identity Theft, I was surprised to learn how my personal information reached the hands of thieves: my garbage. As part of an organized crime ring, homeless men and women were paid to sift through dumpsters behind my apartment complex, searching for credit card offers and statements, bank statements, etc.

-James A., Michigan

During the last presidential election, a group of individuals was combing the neighborhoods in my parents' city posing as members of a political organization helping elderly residents to register to vote. What they were in fact was a group of identity thieves gathering personal information to later use for identity theft of the residents.

-Shirley T., Florida

I opened an email that informed me I had won a sweepstakes in a contest I hadn't even entered. All they needed from me was to verify my name and other information such as my bank account number. I thought, "If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is". I didn't give them my information, and I haven't heard from them since.

-Tom G., Colorado

I receive several emails from friends alerting me to the latest known scams. This one however was new to me. Forwarded to me was a link to a site that asked for personal information to be listed on the national "do not email" registry. I tried in vain to verify the legitimacy of the site, so opted to do nothing. After all, would the spammers really be offering me an option of not receiving their spam?