“What to Do if Your Driver’s License Number is Exposed in a Data Breach”

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What Can Someone Do With Your Driver’s License Number?

Your stolen driver’s license number can be the key that helps unlock all sorts of fraud, such as opening financial accounts in your name or creating fake IDs. Whether it’s stolen in a data breach or out of your wallet, it can wreak havoc on your finances. Here’s what to do if someone steals your driver’s license number.

Potential Misuses of Your Driver’s License Number

Scammers can commit a variety of criminal acts using your driver’s license number. Here are five examples:

1. Open Financial Accounts in Your Name

A stolen driver’s license number may enable a scammer to assume your identity so they can carry out identity theft and fraud such as:

• Opening a bank account
• Setting up a credit account
• Making unauthorized purchases
• Applying for a loan

2. Create Fake IDs

In some cases, a thief will use your driver’s license to create a fake driver’s license or another fake ID. With this fake ID, someone can assume your identity to avoid traffic tickets or pretend to be you if they’re caught committing a crime.

3. Sell Your License Number

Some thieves might sell your driver’s license number to other thieves on the dark web. The dark web is a sketchy place on the internet made up of sites that can’t be accessed by regular search engines.

4. Carry Out Mail Fraud

Equipped with your driver’s license number, a crook can change your mailing address and forward your mail to an address where they can pick up the mail. With this mail, a crook might take advantage of bank statements, credit card statements, and financial documents to commit fraud.

5. Generate a Synthetic Identity

A thief can combine false and real personal data, such as a driver’s license and a Social Security number, to generate a fake identity. This type of fraud is called synthetic identity fraud. With a synthetic identity, a thief can commit various kinds of financial fraud.

What to Do if Your License Number Is Exposed in a Data Breach

If your driver’s license number is exposed in a data breach, take these steps to protect your identity and your finances:

• Conduct a background check on yourself.
• Find out if your information is on the dark web.
• Check your credit reports.
• Request your driving record.
• Change your passwords.

What to Do if Someone Has Your Driver’s License

If your driver’s license has been stolen or lost, take prompt action to avoid as much damage as you can. With your driver’s license or a photo of it, an identity thief gains access to your name, driver’s license number, date of birth, and other personal information.

Steps to Take if Someone Steals Your Driver’s License

• File a police report.
• Contact your state’s department of motor vehicles.
• Set up a free fraud alert or free credit freeze.
• Monitor your credit.

Steps to Take if You Lose Your Driver’s License

• File a report with your local police department.
• Replace your license.
• Consider setting up a fraud alert.
• Monitor your credit.

How to Report Identity Theft

Here’s how to report identity theft that you believe happened as a result of your driver’s license number being stolen or your driver’s license being lost or stolen:

• File a report with your local law enforcement agency.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or call 877-438-4338.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit report.
• Consider freezing your credit.
• Contact the fraud department at the credit card issuers, banks, and other places where you have financial accounts.
• Monitor your credit reports and driving record for new signs of identity fraud.

For any mortgage service needs, call O1ne Mortgage at 213-732-3074. We are here to help you with all your mortgage needs.

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