Identity theft occurs when a criminal obtains and uses someone else's personal information--such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and social security numbers-- to purchase goods and services fraudulently. Identity theft varies widely in scope and proportion. An identity thief may make an unauthorized charge to a victim's credit card in a single incident of theft. In extreme cases, an imposter might use a victim's identity to open new credit card accounts, establish phone service, buy a car, or even take out a mortgage. Victims of Identity theft lose more than money; they lose peace of mind. Victims often spend dozens of hours working with creditors, credit reporting agencies, financial institutions, and law enforcement to reclaim their good names and credit records. The recovery process can take months--even years.

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