Protect Your Credit and Identity

TLDR: Identity theft occurs when a thief steals personal identification and uses that information as if it was his or her own The information can be used to open credit card accounts, rob bank accounts, make withdrawals from ATMs and obtain employment opportunities or make down payments/deposits on a car or housing Fraudulent use of credit cards is not limited to the loss or theft of the actual credit card as mentioned in this paper.

Abstract: Identity theft occurs when a thief steals your personal identification and uses that information as if it was his or her own The information can be used to open credit card accounts, rob bank accounts, make withdrawals from ATMs and obtain employment opportunities or make down payments/deposits on a car or housing Fraudulent use of credit cards is not limited to the loss or theft of the actual credit card Identity theft can happen when your purse or wallet is stolen or lost It also can happen when you give your credit card information out over the telephone or Internet, when someone gets numbers off papers they find in the trash, or overhear numbers given in a telephone conversation and by watching you key in account or PIN numbers in check-out lines or at ATMs A capable criminal needs to know only your credit numbers to fraudulently make numerous charges, including cash withdrawals, against your accounts The following crime prevention tips will help you guard against the illegal use of credit cards