Why should you be concerned about identity theft?

Identity thieves may open a new credit card account using your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. They may also call your credit card issuer and change the mailing address on your account, preventing you from seeing the fraudulent charges. Similarly, identity thieves may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks or establish services in your name, such as mobile phone accounts.

These delinquent accounts register on your credit report, and the burden is on you to challenge the fraudulent activity and restore your good name. In the words of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a leading consumer advocacy group, "Identity theft is the only crime where the suspect is presumed innocent before proven guilty; and the victim is guilty until found innocent."