When your identity is stolen
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft in a single year, while Americans reported losing a record $12.5 billion to online fraud. For many victims, the financial loss is only part of the problem. Recovering a stolen identity can take months of work, countless phone calls and a great deal of stress.
Criminals use stolen personal information to open credit accounts, take over online services, file fraudulent tax returns, obtain loans, impersonate victims and commit other forms of fraud. Often, the first sign that something is wrong is an unexpected bill, a declined credit application or notification that an account has been opened in your name.
