What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft, which has been a federal crime since 1998, occurs when a thief steals your personal information and uses it to establish credit, borrow money or charge items while masquerading as you. The thief may also commit crimes using your identity, crimes that are then attributed to you. Even though the incidence of Internet identity theft is growing, consumers are still more likely to have their identities stolen the old fashioned way – from data retrieved from discarded information or insider leaks – than from the Web, according to fraud experts.