What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a crime in which the imposter obtains key pieces of information, such as Social Security and driver's license numbers, and uses them for his or her own gain. Victims are left with a complicated task of restoring their good names, and sometimes damaged credit scores, financial history, business ratings, and criminal records.

No matter what type of identity theft is involved, the result is a long and sometimes arduous road to recovery. As in all crimes, preventing the crime from occurring in the first place is key.