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 in some way without the person’s knowledge or permission. Identity theft is a felony in Kansas, and can involve using someone’s information to obtain credit, goods, services, or information, or to commit fraud. Identity theft can happen in a variety of ways such as through stolen wallets, breaking into someone’s home or vehicle, or even through computer hacking. People who are victims of identity theft can suffer a variety of issues such as having their credit ruined, having money stolen from accounts, and having illegal items purchased in their name. It is also possible for identity theft to be used to commit fraud or create fictitious identities. Identity theft can be hard to detect, and can often go unnoticed for a great length of time. In Kansas, identity theft is treated as a felony offense, and anyone convicted of identity theft can face a fine of up to $100,000 and/or jail time of up to 10 years. It is important that citizens take steps to protect their identities such as regularly checking their credit reports, using strong passwords on all online accounts, shredding unnecessary documents, and using two-factor authentication whenever possible. Additionally, if you are a victim of identity theft, it is important to report the crime to the police as soon as possible.

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What is identity theft?

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