Identity theft occurs when someone obtains pieces of your personal information, such as your driver’s license number and social security number, and uses them to impersonate you.  They may create credit accounts in your name, obtain employment in your name, or even apply for a mortgage in your name!

In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission conducted a survey on Identity Theft.  Their survey suggested that nearly 10 million Americans were affected by identity theft during the previous year!  That’s a LOT of people!  (Understatement?  Possibly.)