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The Various Types of Identity Theft 
By: Paul Wilcox
Everyone knows the financial results of identity theft. Credit card fraud, poor credit, bounced checks and unpaid debt are common place due to stolen identities. Finance is not the only thing that can be ruined. Here is a list of some other types of identity theft.
What are the other types of identity theft?
Character identity theft is the first of the types of identity theft. When someones character is stolen, he or she is at risk of being charged with crimes never committed. This can lead to arrests and time spent in prison. Character identity theft usually occurs when a persons drivers license is stolen and the number used. In the eyes of the law, drivers license number is the second most important piece of identifying information apart from Social Security number. Character identity theft can also lead to inability to find work, due to negative results on background checks.
Theft of a Social Security number is one of the most serious types of identity theft. Anyone who has access to a persons Social Security number can gain access to virtually every other piece of identifying information about them. Almost all cases of identity theft were caused due to the victims Social Security number being compromised. Tax information, employment records and bank statements all depend on it for identification.
Medical benefits may also be compromised. Your Social Security number is also used as Medicare identification. You may be unable to pay for prescriptions and medical care without Medicare. Health records may end up containing false information and it may be hard to get health insurance. It becomes harder to get a lower insurance rate if they think you are unhealthy.
Traffic violations are another problem. Stealing a driver's license is one of the most devious types of identity theft. With a license, the thief can obtain auto insurance using the number and harm the person's credit rating by not making the payments. Any traffic violations that are obtained on the license number are recorded and your insurance rates will rise.
Credit theft is probably the most familiar type of ID theft. This happens when someone acquires bank account information such as PIN numbers or credit cards. With just this little piece of information, they can apply for a loan in your name, do online transactions or even empty out your bank account. Very often the victim isn't even aware this has happened until the bill collectors call looking for the money owed for items bought.
Being aware of these types of ID theft will help keep you safe. You need to realize that finance is just one. Character and health and transportation can also be at risk.
Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles
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