Identity thieves only need to know your Social Security number, name, and address to wreck your good credit. Using easily accessible public records, they can learn your place of employment, date of birth, and mother's maiden name. They can open a credit card account and immediately charge up to the limit with no intention of paying. Original copies of all documentations should be included in your files. Send out to any office or person concerned photocopies only. A summary of what happened should be included in the report. The process is very meticulous and needs ample patience and determination. Ready your self for years of waiting before the offender will be found and proven guilty. Malicious people may be able to obtain personal information (such as credit card numbers, phone numbers, account numbers, and addresses) by stealing your wallet, overhearing a phone conversation, rummaging through your trash (a practice known as dumpster diving), or picking up a receipt at a restaurant that has your account number on it. Her nightmare cost her three days in jail, $15,000 and two years of her life to straighten it all out. Metro police say they receive up to 75 new reports of identity theft every week here in Clark County. It's the fastest growing crime in America today. It's just a matter of time; sooner or later we'll all become victims. With enough identifying information, a criminal can assume an individual's identity and conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, applications for loans and credit cards, withdrawals from bank accounts, use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name. If you hand out your credit card in restaurants and other establishments, you are at risk of identity theft. Signing your credit cards may also be a way for criminals to make use of your signature for fraud. Identity theft can also occur if you have the habit of giving your personal information over the internet.