IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft

Identity Theft Information for Military Families

Introduction

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report (Broder, 2003), the 1990's spawned a new variety of crooks called identity thieves. The FTC told the U.S. Congress that more than 700,000 people a year were affected by this crime. Those who committed this crime, not direct their attention to any one race, ethnicity or gender. In the period from January to December 2003, the FTC received more than half a million consumer complaints of theft. Consumers reported losses from complaints of more than $ 400 million. Internet fraud accounts for 55% of all fraud reports, compared to 45% over the previous year. In Kansas alone we have reported almost 1378 (Broder, 2003). Complaints of identity theft this year. FTC continue to treat members of Congress that every 79 seconds a thief steals someone's identity, opens accounts in the name of the victim, and goes to the purchase of Spree. Identity thieves stole nearly $ 100 million from financial institutions last year, or an average of $ 6767 per victim. That victim, who must prove fraud exists. The judicial system, which now exists in our country, states that any person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty (Bass, 2003). Victims of identity theft

Victims of identity theft, as a rule, do not even know that they have been targeted until it is up to the end. Identity theft can take years and a lot of money to see, as long as credit is ruined, and lives destroyed. As with other crimes, we can not fully control, if we are victims, but we can be aware of how criminals get our personal information, how to reduce the risk of being a victim and some useful information about what to do after the crime (US Department of Justice, 2001). Indicator of Identity theft

There are different ways to tell whether or not ID theft has not happened. Always turn bank statements, check whether or not an unexplained charges or removes posted to your account. Receiving calls for the collection of accounts that the consumer never opened another key if you have been targeted (McClure, Scambray, 2002). Another possible indicator that identity theft occurs when consumers can not get the usual bills, or other communications, usually comes at a certain time each month. Receiving credit cards that have never been used, or the ...