What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a type of white collar crime that occurs when someone illegally obtains and uses another person’s personal information such as a Social Security or driver’s license number, or financial account information. Identity theft can be used to commit a variety of other crimes such as fraud, forgery, or accessing bank accounts or other financial accounts. In California, identity theft is a felony offense that can result in serious consequences if convicted. Individuals convicted of identity theft may face a sentence of up to three years in county jail. In addition, a person can be ordered to pay restitution to the victim, which can involve reimbursing them for all costs associated with repairing their credit and restoring their identity. People can protect themselves from identity theft by not providing their personal information over the phone or online, and by properly disposing of documents with sensitive information. It is also important to regularly monitor a credit report and be aware of any unusual activity in bank or credit card accounts. If someone suspects they are a victim of identity theft, they should contact the police and their financial institutions immediately.

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What is identity theft?

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