What you need to know about computer identity theft to protect yourself

You look at your watch, realizing that you are almost late for work. Without meaning to, you drive through a red stoplight. A quick gasp, turning your head left and right, you check to see if anyone noticed.

Just as suddenly, the red and blue flashing lights are reflected in your rear-view mirror. “Oh no”, you sigh; as you realize the policeman that is pulling you over was an observer to what you had just done. You hope that he lefts you off with a warning so that you can still make it to work on time.

What you don’t realize is that you have been a victim of criminal identity theft and someone has stolen your identity. Slowly, the officer approaches the window of your vehicle. He politely asks for your driver’s license, inquires as to whether you know what he stopped you and then returns to his own vehicle.

All the while you silently pray for a traffic warning rather than a violation. As he runs your driver’s license through his dispatch support, a warrant for a crime that you know nothing about comes up. As you wait, you realize another police car has pulled up behind the original officer.

Together they approach your car. The original officer asks you to please vacate the vehicle and to place your hands on the hood of the vehicle. Once you have done so, he takes your hands, puts them behind your back and handcuffs you. All the while, the second officer reading you your rights and explaining that your vehicle will need to be picked up or the local towing company will tow it. You have no idea what is going on, when you try to explain, the officer dismisses your argument and takes you to his vehicle and off to jail.

How Can Criminal Identity Theft Affect You

This scenario while seemingly unreal is in fact a daily occurrence in many cities across America. Today, more than any other time in history, criminals are providing detailed personal history that is not their own in order to escape justice.

In some cases, the imposter will be arrested and booked under the false name without the true person ever knowing that anything had been done in their name. For the criminal identity theft victim, this can lead to denied employment and credit due to a criminal history.

In addition, if the imposter chooses not to attend the required legal court appearances, after having signed the original criminal or traffic ticket, the judge can enter a bench warrant for the suspect. The criminal identity theft victim, rather than the imposter, is then entered into a warrant system and is soon sought after by the local and state police.

As A Criminal Identity Theft Victim, It Is Up To You To Clean Up The Mess

Unfortunately for the criminal identity theft victim, the responsibility of clearing one’s name is the responsibility of the victim. The criminal identity theft victim must work promptly to clear their name, to prevent further problems in the future. This is not always an easy task but it is an immediate need if you want to preserve your personal history and integrity. If you have been a victim of criminal identity theft, There are many agencies online and in the telephone directly that can assist you with resolving this matter.