What is identity theft – Choice Identity

What is Identity theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime where your personal information – like your name, driver’s license or
Social Security Number – has been hijacked by an imposter who intends to commit fraud. That can look
like someone applying for credit or unemployment in your name, making purchases with your money or
opening new accounts with your information

Understanding Identity theft

identity protection is when someone steals your personal information and uses it for criminal activity. It’s one of the fastest-
growing crimes in the world.
It ranges from thieves stealing your Social Insurance Number (SIN), to opening credit card accounts,
fraudulently billing your clients, and everything in between. These attacks can have a long term impact on
your financial and personal well being.
You can recognize signs of a potential identity protection threat by finding unrecognized credit lines in a credit report, finding your private information
on the dark web, and finding unrecognized login attempts to your personal accounts. But the easiest and most comprehensive way to fight this type of
crime is by using a professional service,
like Choice Identity.

Types of Identity Theft

Learn about some of the more common types of identity theft in USA

Child Identity Theft

You may have considered identity protection measures for yourself. But how about for your children? Children can’t apply for credit on their own until
they’re 18, and they likely have few financial assets. However, they do have valuable personal data fraudsters want.
If you suspect that identity thieves may have targeted your child, Choice Identity can help. By submitting a request through our Child Identity Theft
Inquiry form, we’ll check our database for a credit file with your child’s Social Security number. If we find one, we’ll guide you through next steps you
can take including adding a Choice Identity minor child freeze to their file. You can also add a freeze for a minor even if we do not locate a credit file.

Consequences of child identity theft

Children, like adults, can become victims of identity theft in several ways, such as by having their data
exposed in a data breach incident. Children make a tempting target for identity thieves because theft of
a child’s identity may go undetected for years. After their child is born, most parents apply for a Social
Security number, which is all that’s required to open most credit accounts. Yet it could be years until a
child applies for credit in their own name. If a criminal uses it in the meantime, the identity theft can go
undetected and create serious consequences. For example:
*Identity theft could affect your child’s future credit and employment history if the thieves (who sometimes turn out to be family members) obtain
credit accounts or get jobs using your child’s identity.
*The thieves could sign up for utility services or apply for government benefits under your child’s name.
*If the thieves are arrested for other crimes, those crimes could become associated with your child’s record.

Froud Companion guide

Are you an identity theft victim? Use our Guide to help you put a fraud recovery plan into action
and get back on track after experiencing identity theft.
Discovering you’re a victim of fraud can lead to a rush of different emotions. You might feel vulnerable,
frustrated or angry. It’s understandable. Fraud affects so many different aspects of your life, which is why
it can be hard to know where to begin. Consider this guide your starting point. It contains key information
you need and the steps to put a fraud recovery plan into action, all in one place. Download this Fraud
Companion Guide and add your notes throughout this document. Save it in a safe place so you can
return to it later

Synthetic Identity Theft

When a thief steals someone’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) and attaches it to a new name, date of
birth, and other personal information. This creates a new, fictitious person. This is one of the most
common types of CI fraud.

Froud victim resources

If you think you’re a victim of identity theft, we’re here to help. We have resources that you can use while
you work towards recovery.

Business Identity Theft

When thieves use a business name to fraudulently bill clients, or try to get credit using the business
name. Often, culprits either know the business owner or worked for them.

Protect what matters most with comprehensive identity theft protection

How Does Choice Identity Identity Protection Work? Monitor We keep an eye out for risks to your personal information, from address change records to the far reaches of the dark web. Alert We quickly notify you via email – and text message if you prefer – when a risk we’re monitoring is detected. Control Shield keystrokes & PIN numbers from prying eyes, manage passwords & personally identifiable information, and know where your credit health stands. Recover Our resolution specialists and $2 million in identity theft insurance help you recover from an identity incident with ease.

Rest easy knowing you have comprehensive identity
protection safeguarding what matters most.

Product Highlights
Identity Restoration
Bank & Credit Card Activity Alerts
Online PC Protection Tools
Medical ID Protection
Credit Score Tracker & Simulator
BreachIQ
Quarterly Credit Reports & Scores
Advanced Fraud Monitoring
3-Bureau Credit Monitoring
Additional Monitoring Included:
Name, Address & Social Media Identity
Sex Offender Registry & Criminal Records
Short-Term Loans

$1.8M Identity Theft Insurance