The Social Security administration is not well equipped to detect this type of problem and it may go on for years unless the IRS notices some abnormality at tax time. Another problem that often arises is when the person using your Social Security number files for unemployment.

  There was a case several years ago at a small company where an employee, unknown to the employer, was an illegal immigrant and was using somebody elses Social Security number.

   This employee was put on a two week temporary layoff and filed for unemployment with the false Social Security number that they had been using for years. By a matter of chance, the legal owner of the Social Security number filed for unemployment benefits the very same week which created a red flag for the Social Security administration department.

   Possibly the most frightening type of fraud is where a person who has access to your person identity information gets arrested for some reason and supplies the authorities with your information. If they do immediate jail time, the worst that will happen is that you will develop a criminal history but if they are required to return for a court trial at a later date, you may encounter some real problems.

   The fact that they are already a criminal who has stolen your identity means that they are unlikely to bother showing up for their court appointment and a warrant will be issued in your name. Something as simple as a traffic violation can land you in jail, wondering just what is going on.

   After learning what an identity theft criminal can do with your information, you should now realize that it is important to take necessary steps to protect yourself. Instead of taking the chance of becoming a victim, you would be much better off to take some proactive steps to eliminate or reduce your risk of identity theft.