While the victim and his wife spent more than four years and more than $15,000 of their own money to restore their credit and reputation, the criminal served a brief sentence for making a false statement to procure a firearm, but made no restitution to his victim for any of the harm he had caused. How do thieves get my information? Many offers for "pre-approved" credit cards come in the mail. Getting a credit card issued by department stores is simple. Only two forms of ID are required: a driver's license with a picture ID and a second identification, like another credit card or your Social Security card. What steps should you take to protect your identity with credit cards? Identity thieves can take your personal information from your mail box or your home. They can steal your wallet or purse, or convince you to give out personal information. We all have to be on our guard. Identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime. It happens when an identity thief obtains some pieces of your personal information. He does not need to have your plastic in order to commit such a crime. All he needs will be your number and your personal information. Such a crime has been known as identity theft. Credit card identity theft can happen in a variety of ways. Almost everyone using a credit card can be an unwilling victim. They can also get hold of your personal information by hacking it out on the Internet. Criminals can do a lot of things once they steal your personal information. With your credit card records, they may be able to call your credit card issuer and make arrangements to change your billing address. Once it is done, they can then charge purchases on your account without you knowing it. Most importantly, it will handle the defenses against any repetition of identity deception. Generally, federal prosecutors cooperate with various investigating agencies to prosecute any identity theft fraud. These are the FBI, The U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. A lot of paperwork is involved when you are filing your complaint to a definite jurisdiction of theft offense.