Identity theft is a crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data by fraud or deception for monetary gain. Identity thieves can rob you by stealing and using your Social Security, bank account, credit card, telephone, calling card numbers and other personal information. Despite considerable publicity, the problem is growing.

Identity thieves have taken funds out of victims’ accounts or taken over their identities altogether, running up huge debts and committing crimes while using the victims’ names. Losses may include not only cash, but the added cost of trying to restore reputations and correcting erroneous information given by the criminal in your name.

In a notorious case of identity theft, a convicted felon incurred more than $100,000 of credit card debt, obtained a federal home loan, and bought homes, motorcycles and handguns in the victim’s name. While the victim spent four years and more than $15,000 to restore his credit and reputation, the criminal served a brief sentence for making a false statement to procure a firearm, but made no restitution for any of the harm he had caused. This case, and others like it, prompted Congress to make identity theft a new federal offense in 1998.

Identity thieves can obtain your personal data without breaking into your home. In public places, for example, criminals may “shoulder surf” you, watching as you punch in your telephone calling card or credit card number, or listen in on your conversation as you give your credit card number over the telephone.

Some criminals engage in “dumpster diving,” going through your trash cans to obtain copies of your checks, credit card or bank statements, or other records that bear your name, address, and even your telephone number. These types of records make it easier for criminals to get control over accounts in your name and assume your identity.

If you receive applications for “preapproved” credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards for their use without your knowledge. If your mail is delivered to a place where others have access to it, criminals may simply intercept and redirect your mail to another location.

The Internet has become an appealing place for criminals to obtain identifying data, such as passwords or even banking information. Many people respond to spam or unsolicited e-mail, that promises some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that the requester has no intention of keeping his promise. In some cases, criminals have used computer technology to obtain large amounts of personal data.

With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual’s identity to conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges that the criminal might be denied if they were to use their real name. If the criminal takes steps to ensure that bills for the falsely obtained credit cards or bank statements showing the unauthorized withdrawals are sent to an address other than the victim’s, the victim may not become aware of what is happening until the criminal has already inflicted substantial damage on the victim’s assets, credit and reputation.

For more information on identity theft and how you can protect yourself, write “ID Theft, c/o COMBAT, 109 State Street, Bangor 04401. Include a postage paid, self-addressed, large (No. 10 letter sized) envelope.

YOU ARE INVITED – At Northeast COMBAT’s request, Gov. John Baldacci will proclaim Feb. 6-12 “Consumer Protection Week” in a ceremony held at the Hammond Street Senior Center (downtown Bangor) at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7. Please join us.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership $25, business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.