THE FIVE MAJOR TYPES OF IDENTITY THEFT INVOLVE: 

• Driver's Licenses
• Social Security Numbers
• Medical Information
• Character/Criminal Actions
• Financial Transactions

Criminals want to rip-off your identity, your financial history, and everything else that you've worked hard to earn. They are determined to make a name for themselves by taking advantage of your credit record.

You should know: 37 percent of victims experienced problems beyond the time they spend recovering and their pout of pocket expenses. The problems included being harrassed by debt collectors, unable to use existing credit cards, subjected to criminal investigations or civil suits, being arrested, or having difficulty accessing bank accounts.

It can take minutes to steal your identity, but years to repair the financial damage and emotional toll on you and maybe your loved ones.

You should know: Almost one-quarter of victims of new account and other frauds did not discover the misuse of information for at least six months after it started.