An identity theft occurs when someone stoles your personal information to make frauds under your name; thieves normally take the information from your credit card to buy lots of things under your name. Today thieves use advanced techniques to steal your information; sometimes they get your information from the records of institutions or companies, they bribe the employees that have access to these reports; they even hack mechanized records. They also take your information from your e-mail account or they just steal your folder or purse.
A new way to pinch your data is the skimming; a device is placed on an ATM copying the information of your credit card; another technique is the phishing; somebody launches out what looks like executive communications from banks or credit card companies asking you to confirm information like your PIN number. Financial institutions have an authorized moral responsibility to protect your information from situations like this; medical reports are also protected and restricted.
With your information on hand thieves can divert your credit cards to a new address and charge thousands of dollars under your name, they can also set up phone and internet services in your name; they can file bankruptcy to avoid paying the debts that they acquired in your name. If your information has been taken from an institution or commerce they are going to be responsible for the situation and you can order a lawsuit against the establishment. If you or someone you know have been victims of this problem contact your attorney and ask him/her about your possibilities to order a lawsuit against the aggressors.