Types of Identity Theft

Identity Theft occurs when sufficient information about an identity is obtained to facilitate Identity Fraud, irrespective of whether the victim is alive or no longer living.

The main types of Identity Theft include:

• Corporate Identity Theft
• Impersonator Identity Theft
• Financial Identity Theft
• Social Security Identity Theft
• Drivers License Identity Theft
• Medical ID Theft  
• Criminal Identity Theft

All types of Identity Theft can be damaging to one's personal, financial and credit-related life.  The stress can be intense and the effects are often long-lasting.  Read more to learn how you can protect yourself and your business from ID Theft.

The most common type of Identity Theft is Credit Card Fraud.  Generally, the thief will open a new credit account in the name of the victim.  It surprises many people that the second most common type of ID Fraud is Impersonation.  The impostor will use the victim's name to access accounts or begin a new life using their identity, which can be scary and traumatic.  Often the impostor will sign-up for utilities or phone services under the victim's name.

Corporate Identity Theft
Corporate Identity Theft is also known as Business or Commercial ID Theft.  Businesses are a prime target for identity thieves. 

Financial Identity Theft
When a criminal uses personal information of a victim for financial gain, Financial Identity Theft occurs.  The thief may contact the victim describing their institution's policy, state special needs of the victim's account or discuss compliance issues to glean personal information.

Impersonator Identity Theft
Also known as Identity Cloning, this type of Identity Theft occurs when a thief has taken on the identity, or impersonates, the victim while living in another location.  The thief lives as the victim and assumes their identity.

Criminal Identity Theft
Criminal Identity Theft involves the thief/criminal and law enforcement.  Victims do not always know a crime has been committed in their name until an issue arises.

Social Security Identity Theft
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a primary tool in Identity Theft.  The threat to Businesses is that they can be held legally liable if personal information, including SSNs, have been stolen by an 'insider.'

Driver's License Identity Theft
A Driver's License carries enough personal information to serve as identification for a thief.  This is a tremendous liability as it is the most widely used for of identification.

Medical Identity Theft
When personal information, such as insurance or Social Security, is used to obtain medical services or products, Medical Identity Theft occurs.

Contact a CITRMS Professional if you believe that you are a Victim of Identity Theft.