■  Identity Theft Attorney

Identity Theft Attorney

What is Identity theft? It is a term that refers to theft is one of major crime problems in United States. Stealing from somebody is a crime which is punishable by law. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn't make or until you're contacted by a debt collector. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record.

Types: According to the non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center and other sources, identity theft can be sub-divided into five categories:

• Business/commercial identity theft (using another's business name to obtain credit)
• Criminal identity theft (posing as another when apprehended for a crime)
• Financial identity theft (using another's identity to obtain goods and services)
• Identity cloning (using another's information to assume his or her identity in daily life)
• Medical identity theft (using another's information to obtain medical care or drugs)

Many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. In public places, for example, criminals may engage in "shoulder surfing" ­ watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number ­ or listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the telephone to a hotel or rental car company.

Even the area near your home or office may not be secure. Some criminals engage in "dumpster diving" ­ going through your garbage cans or a communal dumpster or trash bin -- to obtain copies of your checks, credit card or bank statements, or other records that typically bear your name, address, and even your telephone number. These types of records make it easier for criminals to get control over accounts in your name and assume your identity.

If you receive applications for "pre-approved" credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards for their use without your knowledge. (Some credit card companies, when sending credit cards, have adopted security measures that allow a card recipient to activate the card only from his or her home telephone number but this is not yet a universal practice.) Also, if your mail is delivered to a place where others have ready access to it, criminals may simply intercept and redirect your mail to another location.

If someone accused you for identity theft; the right thing to do is to find a defense crime attorney that can protect you rights. A lot of innocent people are being accused of crimes that they do not commit. An experienced crime lawyer can be your voice upon trials. Do not lose hope. Attorney William A. Kennedy can give you free consultations regarding your case.