There are many ways that a person can become a counterfeit identity. They may use their real first name, but use a different middle name to hide their true identity. They may also use a different first and last name, but use the same middle name. It is quite common for an individual to have more than one type of address, but they all belong to the same person. Many people also use their social security number instead of a real name but do not have a Social Security Number. This is another common method of creating a counterfeit identity.
One method that many people use is to open up a bank account using someone else’s name and Social Security Number. This is often referred to as Social Identity Theft or Identity Cloning. With this method, the thief uses your credit information to open up a new bank account, making purchases and receiving money. The new credit card offers the owner a plastic card with the same information that was used to open up the account, and the only thing that the owner of the account knows is that her credit card has been fraudulently used.
Another method is for a person to get a credit card using another person’s information. This information might be a driver’s license, an employee identification number, or social security number. The thief obtains the information, either by stealing the information directly from the person who has secured it, or by getting the information online. Then, the thief uses the stolen information to make purchases using the card. The thief does not have to report the unauthorized transactions to creditors because the identity has been cloned.
Another way that your counterfeit identity can be cloned is to use a stolen credit card. When you apply for credit cards, the company will ask for pertinent information such as your name, address, and social security number. If you respond to the request, the company stores your information so that it can make transactions on your credit cards. It then begins to try to open a new account in your name. If you are not careful, you could end up with multiple credit cards in your name all with different charges.
Because of the privacy problems this causes, credit card companies have become very vigilant about protecting their customers’ identities. They have developed several ways to check the information on the person seeking the credit card. A physical copy of your fingerprint is usually done in a government facility such as the Bureau of Transportation or the U.S. Department of Justice. Alternatively, the person seeking the credit card can be sent through the mail to their postal address or submitted to a database that contains the information that they would need to ensure that you are not a person posing as another person. Finally, if all else fails, the credit card company can perform a criminal record search using state and federal databases.
However, there are some ways to protect yourself from having your identity stolen. One way is to be very careful with who you give your credit card information to. Only provide it to someone that you know and trust. When giving a friend or relative your credit card number, be sure to ask for their name and only give them that. Also, when purchasing things online, check the website to make sure that it is a reputable and secure site.
Another way to prevent identity theft is by reporting any instances of identity theft to the authorities. This can be done both online and by telephone. Online reporting can be done by visiting the local fraud hotline and reporting any instances of identity theft. By calling the local police department, you can report any incidents of credit card fraud that you may have noticed. Reporting these crimes to the proper authorities will help in preventing further incidences of identity theft.
Identity theft is something that you should be aware of. By learning as much as you can about identity theft and how to avoid it, you can keep yourself and your financial life safe. If you ever think that you are a victim of identity theft, then contact a credit-card-fraud attorney as soon as possible. Identity theft is a serious crime, and if not stopped, it can destroy the credit rating and credit record of its victims.