Identity theft is the unlawful use of someone else’s personal information for financial gain.
Identity theft can occur when someone steals your personal information such as your name, social security number, or credit card number. The thief can use this information to open new credit accounts, make fraudulent purchases, or obtain other benefits using her identity.
Identity theft can also occur when someone obtains your personal information without your consent, such as through a data breach or phishing attack.
If you think you may have been a victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. You should report any suspicious activity to your financial institution and credit reporting agencies. You can also use a credit monitoring service to help detect any unauthorized activity.