Identity cloning definition
Identity cloning is a type of identity theft that involves an individual stealing your identity to use it as their own. This includes them using your information in order to get a job, buy a house, start a family, or create an entire life for themselves under your name in a different location. Most commonly, identity clones are people who want to live under the radar and either hide from the law because they’ve committed a crime or do not have the proper papers to reside in your country.
Additionally, sometimes all it takes for someone to clone your identity is access to your Social Security number. However, most identity clones will try to get as much of your information as possible, including the city you live in, your address, where you grew up, and which school you went to, so that they can respond convincingly when someone asks them a question about your life.
See also: synthetic identity theft, digital identity
Signs of identity cloning
- You get frequent fraud alerts from your bank or financial institution.
- Your credit card statements include purchases you haven’t made.
- You notice significant credit score fluctuation without any personal input.
- Random people start calling you about debts you don’t know about.
- You get unfamiliar mail that includes medical bills or forms from companies you’ve never heard of.
