Identity (ID) theft is a growing crisis throughout the United States and the District of Columbia. ID theft is also a very frustrating crime. Identity theft occurs when someone invades your life, taking pieces of your personal, identifying information as his or her own, and, in the process, ruins your financial reputation. Victims of identity theft face extreme difficulties attempting to clear their damaged credit—or even a criminal record—caused by the thief.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, your Social Security number, your credit card number or another piece of your personal information to commit fraud or theft. The District of Columbia DMV (DC DMV) requires an individual to provide at least two primary forms of identification before issuing a new drivers license or a duplicate (when the applicant doesn’t have the original license issued by the DMV).

Your personal information can be used to open credit cards and bank accounts, redirect mail, establish cellular phone service, rent vehicles, equipment or accommodations and even secure employment.

If you become the victim of ID theft, you could be left with bills, charges, bad checks and taxes you did not accrue. Victims of ID theft can spend months or even years—not to mention money—restoring their good name and credit record.

Identity theft has been called America’s fastest growing crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that hundreds of thousands of Americans become identity theft victims each year. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that 27 million Americans have been ID theft victims since 1998, making ID theft a multi-billion dollar problem. The FTC has also reported that in the past year, businesses lost nearly $48 billion to ID theft. Consumers reported $5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

Stealing a person’s identity is now easier than it has ever been, thanks to computers and public access to personal data. Criminals know that businesses are reluctant to prosecute individual cases and often consider losses a "cost of doing business". The very nature of the crime makes the perpetrator difficult to identify and prosecute. For these reasons, the victim of ID theft must personally take steps to limit damage to their financial standing, credit history and peace of mind.

There is no short-cut to eliminating ID theft; the most difficult problem is catching the criminals. You may not know your identity has been stolen until you notice that something is awry. Time may pass before you begin receiving strange bills for goods and services you did not purchase. Experts have determined that early detection of identity theft significantly reduces total financial loss and damage to your credit record. Most ID theft starts with a stolen wallet, purse, or mail.