Identity theft is the ongoing scare of our generation. Every day, we see commercials and hear warning about all the different ways our identities could be stolen. However, it may not be very clear to you what can actually happen if you are victimized. Below is a list of the five most common frustrating annoyances that immediately follow getting your identity stolen.



1. An untold number of credit lines opened in your name.

Having a great number of credit cards opened in your name is one of the first things that commonly happens to those who get their identity stolen. If you think you may be victim of ID theft, you might want to check your credit score. You will likely notice many new cards, mortgages, loans and the like in your name. This is the number one sign that you have been taken for the ride. Contact the creditors immediately before it gets out of hand.

2. A fast-draining bank account.

If you check your bank account one day and find that all your money is gone, there is a very good chance that your identity has been stolen. If your spouse has access to your bank account, you may want to check with them to make sure they didn't spend the last couple nights at the casino or anything like that. Assuming of course that neither you nor your partner drained your account, it is most likely that you have been victimized. Contact your bank and notify them of your concern. Most will be very happy to work with you.

3. Bills of staggering amounts for things you did not buy.

Receiving massive bills in your name for things you would never even think to buy is a sure fire sign that someone has boosted your identity. Commonly, the bills will be for extravagances that should make your case easy to prove to the creditors. As an example, why would you buy eight crystal chandeliers, six flat screen televisions and a Porsche unless you were going through a manic episode? This may sound over the top, but purchases that far out are common to ID theft victims.

4. Elicit use of your driver's license.

Your driver's license has the power to acquire all sorts of financial gains in your name. Bank accounts to conceal stolen money, hotel and vehicle rentals that will likely wind up trashed, and airfare to exotic locations to avoid the criminal justice system are just a few of the many unauthorized uses of your driver's license that the thief may take part in. Nobody likes this kind of hassle, so be careful!

5. Criminal accusations for crimes you did not commit.

In the worst of cases, having your identity stolen by a crafty outlaw could result in the police tracking you down for crimes he committed! These cases are slightly less common but happen frequently enough to warrant mention. Generally speaking, after a lot of unnecessary bureaucratic hassling from the legal authorities, it should become quite obvious that you had nothing to do with these crimes and will usually be let go. Even still, this is an extremely unfortunate consequence of being victimized by ID thieves.