One of the most damaging types of identity theft is more common than you think. Do you make sure you don't have your social security card in your wallet or purse?
Do you shred every document you have with your social security number on it after you don't need it anymore? Not many people do.
I'm sure in my garbage right now are papers with my social on them. This number alone allows people to amass huge debts with your name on them.
This might sound like it would take a lot of work but just call a phone company and ask them what they need to open a new account. They need an address, social security number, name, and birthday.
All it takes is someone to call you up, confirm your social security number and say you won some type of prize. People get really excited and will offer all kinds of information.
Name and birthday are always just spit right out. Now, someone just ordered a modem, phone, cable, and every single accessory a phone company offers and you are the one responsible for the bill.
Sure, this can easily lead to an arrest but often, these thieves only rent a room somewhere until they get all this stuff and leave.
Depending on the motivation and intelligence of the identity thief, they can create complete identities to get illegal immigrants across the border, rent homes, get utilities, and even get legal employment all pretending to be you.
It could take months or even years to realize there is someone out there screwing with your life. The end result could be devastating. Imagine the IRS thinking you have 3 homes even if they are rentals and nowhere near the income to pay for them.
The IRS would take a very close interest in your life and nobody likes that.
