What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a type of fraud or crime that involves obtaining someone’s personal information, such as their Social Security Number, birth date, credit card or bank account numbers, and using it to commit financial or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious issue in Iowa and is punishable by law. The state of Iowa defines identity theft as “when a person obtains another person’s personal identifying information, such as name, address, Social Security Number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, or other identifying information, for the purpose of stealing money or property, or for any other illegal purpose.” Under Iowa Law, any person caught using another person’s information to commit a crime may be punished by a jail sentence or a fine. Identity theft can have a long-term impact on the victims, such as ruined credit scores and potentially thousands of dollars in expenses associated with restoring their credit and financial information. It is important that individuals safeguard their personal information by not giving it out to anyone and by using secure passwords on online accounts. It is also important to monitor credit reports and accounts to detect suspicious activity as soon as possible.

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What is identity theft?

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