You’ve heard the buzz word.  You’ve seen the commercials and heard the news reports.  Identity theft is on the rise and has been characterized by the FBI as the fastest-growing crime in America.  So you know it’s a problem, but do you really know what identity theft is?

The quick answer is that identity theft is a fraudulent usage of someone else’s personal information, without his or her knowledge.  The details, however, are far more frightening.  Identity thieves can cause extensive damage to your reputation and finances; damage that may take years and hundreds of hours to rectify by yourself.

Most people are aware of the most common type of identity theft, in which thieves take advantage of your good credit and subsequently run it into the ground.  The perpetrators may open credit cards using your personal information, make purchases and loans in your name, or transfer funds from your savings into different accounts.  This type of fraud makes up about 20% of all identity theft cases, according to the most recent report from the FTC.

The other 80%, however, is where the real trouble lies.  Identity thieves have been known to use victims’ personal information to commit crimes, which then show up on the victims’ background reports.  Imagine being pulled over for speeding, only to discover that you have already been convicted for a crime you had nothing to do with.  Also, a thief could use your personal data to obtain medical procedures in your name, which can have results far worse than financial loss.  Your medical records would then show inaccurate information, which could, in turn, lead to improper care in the case of an emergency.

The debilitating damage of identity theft is preventable, and this blog will help present ways to protect your most valuable asset: your identity.  Bookmark this page and check back often to find news about data breaches, new technology, helpful tips, interesting articles, and much more.  And of course, feel free to leave comments to share your questions, concerns and personal experiences.