Can someone use your ID against you?

Asked by: Guillermo Halvorson PhD  |  Last update: July 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (46 votes)

Identity theft is easier than ever thanks to the amount of data people share online. All a criminal needs to impersonate you is access to personally identifiable information (PII), which includes your name, date of birth, address, and ID card number.

What's the worst thing someone can do with your ID?

Someone can do a variety of things if they have your ID, such as steal your identity, impersonate you to access money in your bank account, commit driver's license fraud or sell your ID on the dark web.

Can someone do anything with my ID?

Identity fraud

For example, with a copy of your ID showing your name, date of birth and BSN, fraudsters can apply for a loan or set up a mobile phone contract. As a result, you could receive bills for things you did not buy. Do not let your ID be copied by just anyone.

How do I check if my ID is being used?

How to Check for Identity Theft
  1. Review Your Credit Reports. It's a good habit to check your credit reports at least once a year. ...
  2. Check Your Bank Statements. ...
  3. Pay Attention to Strange Mail. ...
  4. Stay on Top of Your Tax Returns. ...
  5. Check Your Medical Statements. ...
  6. Review Your Social Security Statements.

How do I stop someone from using my ID?

Report the Fraud to the Three Major Credit Bureaus

The automated system allows you to flag your file with a fraud alert at all three bureaus. This helps stop a thief from opening new accounts in your name. The alert stays on for 90 days.

Can Scammers Steal Your Identity With Your Driver's License? | Aura

41 related questions found

Can your ID be used against you?

A criminal can use your ID to steal your identity or alter the ID to create a new identity. The end goal is typically to commit financial fraud. ID cards such as a driver's license, passport, and Social Security card help prove who you are to financial and government organizations and legal authorities.

How do I report someone using my ID?

Report the fraud

Contacting the police on 131 444. Ask for a police report or reference number as evidence that you made a report. If you know or suspect the type of personal information that has been stolen, contacting the relevant agency or organisation to let them know.

How do I know if my ID is theft?

Warning Signs of Identity Theft
  1. You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can't explain.
  2. You don't get your bills or other mail.
  3. Merchants refuse your checks.
  4. Debt collectors call you about debts that aren't yours.
  5. You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.

How do I know if my ID is active?

After sending the ID number to 38021, you will receive the following information back:
  1. Validity of ID number.
  2. Registered Names.
  3. Registered Surname.
  4. Gender (Male or Female)
  5. Age and date of Birth.
  6. Citizenship (South African or Foreign)

Can your identity be stolen if you lose your ID?

Whatever the case, losing a driver's license or government-issued ID isn't just an annoyance to replace — It's often the first step a criminal may take when attempting to commit identity fraud. If you lose your ID, and then detect any warning signs of identity theft, you may become a victim.

What's the most someone can do with your ID?

What Can Someone Do With Your Lost or Stolen ID?
  • Steal your identity.
  • Impersonate you when dealing with banks and other institutions.
  • Sell your ID on the Dark Web.
  • Use your ID to create a synthetic identity.
  • Target you with sophisticated phishing scams.
  • Perpetrate a change-of-address scam to steal your mail.

How do I check to see if someone is using my social security number?

Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement.

Can you get in trouble if someone uses your ID?

If you willingly lend a minor or an adult your license, you could be charged with unlawful use of an ID card. If the individual who used a fake ID or lent someone their ID is caught and convicted, they could be sentenced to up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.

Can someone do anything with a picture of your ID?

With a driver's license or a photo of one, an identity thief has direct access to your full name, driver's license number, birth date and other personal information.

Why do cops want your ID so badly?

Police may ask for the information as part of a specific criminal investigation. At other times, they may need the information to protect themselves, allowing them to determine whether the person they are speaking with has a violent criminal history.

Should I keep my ID in my wallet?

Key Takeaways. You should only keep items you need in your wallet, like your driver's license, credit and debit cards, and your health insurance card. On the other hand, you should avoid carrying items like your Social Security card and your birth certificate with you unless you need other forms of ID.

How do you know if your ID is being used?

Suspicious transactions on your bank and credit card statements. Along with your credit report, your monthly credit card and bank account statements can also contain warning signs that your identity has been stolen.

What does it mean if my license is active?

This is when your driver's license is in force as opposed to having expired, been suspended or revoked.

How to verify your ID?

Requirements for identity verification
  1. Your driver's license or state ID card. You can upload a photo of your ID by phone or by computer.
  2. Social Security number.
  3. Your phone number. In some cases, you can verify by mail instead.
  4. Taking a photo of yourself.

What is a red flag for ID theft?

appear to be forged or altered; Personal identifying information (i.e., photograph, physical description) on the identification does not match the individual presenting the information; Address or name does not match the information on the identification and/or insurance card(s), credit card(s), etc.

How to check if someone has taken a loan out in your name?

To get a better sense of whether products are being taken out in your name, you should be checking your credit reports. These are detailed listings of every form of credit in your name. So, if someone has got a credit card, loan or other product by pretending to be you, it should show up.

Can someone open a bank account in your name without you knowing?

Can Someone Open a Credit Card or Bank Account in Your Name? Yes. Scammers can use your stolen information to open credit cards, bank accounts, or even take out loans in your name — leaving you to pick up the pieces and dispute the debts. In 2023 alone, scammers opened over 381,000 fraudulent credit card accounts [*].

How can I stop someone from using my ID?

Freeze your credit

Freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — restricts access to your records so new credit files cannot be opened. It's also a way to prevent identity theft online. It's free to freeze your credit and unfreeze it when you want to open an account.

Who investigates ID theft?

Federal prosecutors work with federal investigative agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service , and the United States Postal Inspection Service to prosecute identity theft and fraud cases.

What happens when you report ID theft?

After you report the fraud, you can work with collection agencies and banks to get any fraudulent collection accounts, late payments and balances removed from your credit reports. You can also file a dispute with the three nationwide credit bureaus.