How Is Your Personal Information Used in Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime that is affecting millions of people worldwide and which needs to be taken seriously. In order to be able to fight identity theft you should at least have a basic knowledge of how your personal information is used in identity theft so that you know what to look out for. In this article we will discuss some of the things criminals may use your personal information for.
The first thing which your personal information may be used for is to draw money from your bank accounts or charge items to your credit cards. If someone has stolen your credit card and managed to get hold of your pin number then they can use this personal information in identity theft by stealing money from your bank or using your credit card as if it was you doing the transactions.
Another way in which criminals may use your personal information in identity theft is by actually opening up new credit cards and accounts in your name. They put all your details, except perhaps for your address, and then never pay these bills. After a while these bills add up and soon you will have a collections agency or someone from the company contacting you to ask why you have not paid these bills and so find yourself in debt that you never even knew you had.
Criminals may also use your personal information in identity theft to get telephone or utility services which they do not pay for. Once again, these fees add up and soon you find that you owe a lot of money for services which you never received.
Medical identity theft can be particularly dangerous. In cases of medical identity theft criminals may take your personal details to get medical services in your name. If they do this your medical records could be compromised and include some of their details as well, which could lead to a serious misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. Personal details in identity theft of this type could even lead to death according to Pam Dixon of the World Privacy Forum.
In conclusion, personal details are used in identity theft in a number of ways, usually to run up serious debts in your name either through the use of your credit card and bank account, or through opening other accounts and credit cards in your name. Personal details are also used in medical identity theft which can have extremely serious consequences, even occasionally leading to death.