Identity theft involves stealing someone's personal information to pretend to be that person. There are several types of identity theft: identity cloning hides a criminal's identity by assuming someone else's; criminal identity theft involves falsely identifying oneself to police; synthetic identity theft fabricates new identities combining real and fake information; medical identity theft uses someone's identity to obtain medical care; and financial identity theft obtains information for economic gain through fraud. Victims of identity theft should place fraud alerts on credit reports, order credit reports, and create an identity theft report with the FTC to protect themselves and recover from the crime.

2. Identity Theft: Form of stealing an
individuals identity in which someone
pretends to be someone else by assuming
that person’s identity. (Wikipedia)

3. TYPES OF IDENTITY THEFT
Identity Cloning and Concealment: When and identity
thief impersonates someone else in order to conceal
their own true identity.
Examples are illegal immigrants, people hiding from
creditors, or individuals wanting to become
anonymous for personal reasons.

4. Criminal Identity Theft: when a criminal fraudulently
identifies himself to police as another individual.
These individuals have either stolen state-issued identity
documents or have presented a fake id.

5. Synthetic Identity Theft: variation of identity theft in which
identities are completely or partially fabricated.
The most common technique involves combining a real social
security number and a name and birthdate other than the
ones associated with the number.
This new form of identity theft is very difficult to track
because it does not show on a persons credit report
directly, it actually may appear as an entire new file in the
credit bureau’s file system.

6. Medical Identity Theft: When someone seeks medical
care under the identity of another person. In addition
to financial harm the thief's medical history may be
added to the victims medical records.

7. Financial Identity Theft: when an individual wrongfully
obtains and uses another person’s personal data in
some way that involves fraud for economic gain.
Each year approximately 15 million Americans are
identity theft victims with financial losses averaging
3,500.
Identity theft can happen from third parties, an
example is when a data breach has occurred and the
perpetrators obtain vital information for financial
gain. (read more in this Forbes article)

8. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Immediate Steps:
1) Place an initial fraud alert
2) Order your credit reports
3) Create an identity theft report
1) Federal Trade Commission shows you how

9. CREDIT BUREAU
The three major credit bureaus are:
1) Equifax
2) Experian
3) TransUnion
Learn more at USA.gov

10. SOURCES
Department of Justice