Victim Reported Identity Crime
Purposes of identity crime vary (Police Chief, February, 2005 ). Among victims:
- 21 percent state unauthorized telecommunications or utility equipment or services were obtained using the victim’s personal information.
- 19 percent state one or more new credit cards were opened in the victim’s name.
- 17 percent report bank fraud.
- 12 percent say unauthorized charges were made on an existing credit card.
- 11 percent state identifying information was used to obtain employment.
- 8 percent report fraudulent checks were written on the victim’s existing account.
- 8 percent report government benefits or forged or obtained government documents were acquired in the victim’s name.
- 6 percent report a loan was obtained in the victim's name.
- 5 percent report unauthorized electronic transfers from his or her account.
- 4 percent state a new bank account was opened using his or her personal information.
- 2 percent report a driver's license was obtained using the victim’s name.
