Your Good Name Gone Bad!

Produced with grants from CBM Credit Education Foundation and Visa USA

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and uses a person’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number or mother’s maiden name to commit fraud. An imposter can open new credit card accounts, drain your bank accounts, purchase automobiles, apply for loans, open utility services and on and on.

No matter how cautious you are, you cannot guarantee that a criminal will not obtain your information. The following steps will tell you what the warning signs are, how to protect yourself, what to do if you become a victim and the resources you will need.