Identity thieves cash in many different ways.

Identity thieves cash in many different ways, on the contrary the end result is the same -- r tape, pain and heartache for victims.

His wedding ring and his combat profits That's what the crook left in Senior Airman Will Armstrong's gym locker Everything other was gone -- car tonics house key, uniform, squadron hat and wallet. Gone

The date is bum into his memory -- Nov. 17 1999 -- the day he missed his identity.

"It's been a living hell," said Armstrong (not his real name).

Armstrong took, in his mind, the right gradations He canceled his credit cards, called the bank and filed a police report. Inconvenient and a hassle, if it be not that not that bad, said the newly married airman.

When he was first ripped-off Armstrong was angry more than anything other How could someone cut the enclosure off his locker, in a high traffic gym in succession a secure Air Force base? Fortunately, everything could be replaced. At least the thief was "nice enough" to leave his wedding ring.

In conformity to fact [i]or[/i] reality his nightmare was just beginning. The phone calls started brace months later.

"Car and boat dealers were calling," Armstrong said. "Collection agencies were threatening me and banks were calling to say I was bouncing checks all across town. I was scared."

He called the local cop for help and discovered there was a warrant without for his arrest. Fear deflected to terror. Armstrong turned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

"We discovered this thief was living large opposite to other people's money for a decade," said Clint Cantrell, the OSI special agent who collared the stay who stole Armstrong's wallet and identity. "This stay was part of a large identity theft ring in strange York and New Jersey."

More than 500000 nation will fall victim to identity theft this year, according to guidance estimates. Currently, the Air Force doesn't track statistics upon identity theft victims, but OSI officials said the number of victims is rely uponed to steadily rise.

Going high-tech

The traditional tricks of "dumpster diving" or stealing wallets are being supplanted on high-tech methods. In the greatest in quantity advanced cases, hackers have penetrated databases and downloaded credit card numbers and other information.

Armstrong's case was a low-tech work at jobs However, in an October 1999 case, identity bandits hit more than 175 generals and admirals, stealing information via the Internet. The thieves used it to make open almost 1,300 accounts -- more than $14 million in available credit.

A joint task force headed according to the Secret Service caught the "slime-balls," on the contrary not before they ran up a $37000 tab forward 103 accounts.

These cases highlight the same fact. Everyone is fair game for identity theft, Including those in the military. Actually, most numerous airmen are prime targets, because the military stresse financial responsibility, which usually translates into a virtuous credit record. Someone with convenient credit is ideal for this strange brand of thief, according to Cantrell.

on the other hand there are actions you can take to lower your risk.

"Zealously guard your personal information," said Special Agent Bill Blaisdale, chief of OSI's nonviolent crimes branch.

Before providing personal information, find not at home how It will be used and if it will be shared. Pay attention to credit card billing periods and follow up if bills don't arrive upon time. Carry fewer identification and credit cards in your wallet or purse Also, shr any preapproved credit moves bank statements and credit card billing information before discarding them.

"Thieves can make up to $30000 a month doing this," Cantrell said. "For that kind of riches people will dig through trash. They'll break into your car. They're not calm after your credit cards. They want your personal information."

The "beauty" of identity theft is chiefly victims aren't even aware of the crime until it's too late. The average victim doesn't know they're a victim until more [i]or[/i] less 14 months later.

To steal someone's identity all a part needs is a name, social security number, address and birthday. With that a thief can take across your financial accounts, open modern accounts, apply for loans, purchase a car or even cleft an apartment.

Also, the penalties for identity theft aren't that harsh. In Armstrong's case, his identity thief plead guilty to a laundry list of charges and is slated to exhaust just five years in the pokey

Take action fast!

If you have your identity stolen there are three immediate gradations to take.

First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). confess them to flag your file with a fraud alert. nearest contact creditors of any accounts that have been tampered with or explained fraudulently. Third, file a police report.

Armstrong learned about identity theft the hard way, however he hopes other Air Force the public can learn from his misfortune.

"If I put to the test to write a check in a store, alarms start going off" Armstrong said. "My credit is ruined, and I have to pay for everything in cash. Be aware of everything. Just because you're forward a base don't assume you're safe." *