Identity Theft by a Spouse has you Worried? Here's What to do.

Identity Theft by a Spouse has you Worried? Here?s What to do.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime. Many experts believe the reason its the fastest growing crime is simply because its very easy for criminals to commit. In most cases of identity theft, the victim?actually knows the person who stole their identity. Identity theft by a spouse is obviously no different.

Identity theft by a spouse is, in some ways similar to child identity theft. In cases of child identity theft, the parent is often the criminal who steals the identity of their own child. The most common reason for this is financial hardship. A person may be having financial difficulties and they decide to use their child?s identity and credit to bail them out of their problem. Identity theft by a spouse may occur for the same reason. The couple, or maybe one of the people may be in severe financial distress. Feeeling the need to get out, they may simply apply for a credit card in the other person?s name and use it to their advantage.

Identity theft by a spouse may be the easiest form of identity theft. . As a couple, each person either knows or has easy access to the other?s personal information. All one has to do is simply fill out a pre-approved credit card application and thats it.

Another reason why identity theft by a spouse is common is anger. If a couple is having marital problems and they are thinking about a divorce, one side may deliberately choose to defraud the other out of anger, spite, or resentment. You may think that a divorce would hold the offending party liable and responsible for paying back the debt, but not necessarily.

The only way to get rid of these debts is to either pay them off, or file a divorce and have the other spouse pay them off. You may have a hard time conivicing the court to make the thief pay them off. Identity theft generally is hard to prove and identity theft by a spouse is no exception.

If you suspect identity theft by a spouse you may want to pursue one of two things?

Legal separation or a divorce

Or both.

A legal separation is an official court document, signed by both parties stating that they are legally still married, but living separately. The rules of child support and alimony can still apply to a legal separation. Why would you consider a legal separation? The most common would be if the couple wants to remain legally married for financial, legal, or social reasons. In our case this would apply if someone was a victim of identity theft by a spouse and the couple, especially the victim would still like to remain married and work out their problems.

If my wife stole my identity I wouldn?t give divorce a second thought?and that?s the other alternative.

You may decide the marriage is beyond resolution and decide to file a divorce. Of course this would help with the emotional trauma of identity theft by a spouse, but keep in mind that recovering your identity and holding the other half responsible for those payments is still an uphill climb. Here are some guidelines for you?

1. File for legal separation

With the help of a lawyer, getting legally separated will strengthen your case with the credit bureaus when you tell them you are a victim of identity theft. Also, it will create a separation between you and your spouse faster than a divorce. With a divorce, the legal process could take several months to over a year, and during this process you will still be legally married. A legal separation literally considers you separated and makes your identity recovery easier and faster.

2. Notify the credit bureaus

Call the credit bureause and tell them that you have been a victim of identity theft by a spouse. You will have to specifically tell them the nature of your identity theft because they can then consider your credit separate from that of your spouse. They will tell you to present to them, in writing, your situation as well as a copy of your legal separation, a possible police report, and other personal identifying information. Make sure they send you a copy of a credit separation from your spouse.?

3, Check your credit report regularly

Whether its idenity theft by a spouse, identity theft by a stranger, or just to be proactive against identity theft, you should always monitor your credit report. Keeping a close eye on your credit report as well as bank statements are the first steps you should take to prevent identity theft. If you are a victim, its even more important because you know you were vulnerable once, and you can be a victim again.

4. Make sure your lawyer does a complete financial deposition of your spouse

Your lawyer will basically do a financial audit of your spouse. Doing so will ensure he or she does not have any fraudulent accounts.

Source: http://www.yupedia.com/identity-theft-by-a-spouse-has-you-worried-heres-what-to-do.html

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