How Can a Birth Certificate be Used to Perpetrate Identity Theft?
When was the last time you used your birth certificate? When you first got your driver's license? When you were applying to college? When you got married? The first time you applied for a passport?
It is not something most of us give much thought to, but your birth certificate is the first and most important document you will ever own. If your birth certificate is lost or stolen, the loss of that document can lead to stolen assets and damage to your credit and reputation. In the wrong hands, your birth certificate can be used to obtain a driver's license, cash a check, secure a loan, open credit accounts and charge them to the max, rent an apartment, buy a car, purchase a cell phone and rack up charges, or even commit a serious crime – all in your name.
If your birth certificate is stolen or lost and you do nothing to protect yourself, it could take days or even years before you are effected. Typical reporting methods, such as fraud alerts and credit reporting, may eventually notify you of fraudulent activity, but only after the damage has been done. The only way to protect yourself from identity theft is through early detection of suspicious activity – early detection allows you to take action and stop identity theft BEFORE damage occurs.
There are many companies that claim to offer identity theft protection, but only IdentityTruth uses advanced technology to search billions of data points tracking your personal data and detecting suspicious activity. When possible fraud is detected, you are alerted and given direction on how to protect your identity and stop identity theft.
Tags: prevent identity theft
