Identity Theft Cases - Thieves Don't Discriminate!

The identity theft cases reported by the US media in recent years just goes to show how vulnerable Americans are to this rapidly growing, white-collar crime. Identity fraud (which includes identity theft cases) costs America over $52 billion ANNUALLY. Approximately 10 million Americans figure in identity theft cases each year.

Following are identity theft cases involving both average and famous Americans – which goes to show that, in a democracy like America, thieves don't discriminate!

Identity Theft Cases: Florida woman gets license and bank account hijacked A woman in Florida fell prey to identity theft when a female perpetrator used the woman's driver's license to withdraw $13,000 from the woman's bank account. And the damage didn't end there. The thief opened FIVE store credit accounts under the victim's name and ran up a bill of $4,000!

Identity Theft Cases: Policyholders victimized
A man was recently sentenced to a prison term of 27 months for identity theft and fraud. Using bank account data from policyholders of an insurance company, he deposited counterfeit checks into his account. The total amount: a whopping $764,000!

Identity Theft Cases: California woman goes bankrupt without knowing why A woman in California found herself bankrupt one day. It was discovered that another woman used the victim's Social Security Number to get credit running up to thousands of dollars. Then the thief filed for bankruptcy under her victim's name!

Even celebrities aren't exempt from starring in identity theft cases. In fact, being in the limelight (and being rich!) often sets them up as desirable targets for identity thieves.

Identity Theft Cases: Smith's the name
Just before New Year of 2006, a man was sentenced to prison for using actor-rapper Will Smith's identity to open 14 credit cards in stores around Pittsburgh. He ran up bills totaling $33,000 under the name Willard C. Smith, Smith's legal name.

But get this: At the time he was arrested for the Will Smith crime, he was on probation for another identity theft case, using the identity of another Smith – Steve Smith, ex-Atlanta pro-basketball player. Using an American Express credit card, the thief was able to go on an $81,000 shopping spree before police caught him!

Identity Theft Cases: Striking close to home
If you think identity thieves target only strangers, think again. In one of the most celebrated cases of an identity thief striking close to home, Ruben Studdard's ex-manager used the American Idol winner's credit cards and checks to amass cash and goods.

The singer's former handler wrote bogus checks totaling $150,000, used Studdard's credit cards to go shopping to the amount of $105,000, and even deposited $22,000 worth of stolen checks into his account!