Identity Theft â How Does it Undo the Victim?

In almost every State and country, identity theft seems a normal occurrence. It happens every day with shocking numbers of victims. This is especially true in the United States. It causes considerable problems not only to the society as a whole but especially to the victims.

One of the emotional turmoil this causes is the stressful situation where a victim is investigated. This is when a victim does the explanation during court proceedings. Background investigation disturbs the typical day of the person involved. Not only is this stressful but embarrassing too. Neighbors, friends and colleagues might think the victim is really a criminal.

Besides that, the victim feels violated in his privacy. He may feel he does not have secrets anymore. To those who are careful but were still victimized, they feel they have inadequate identity theft protection.

It also makes victims paranoid. They might suspect almost anybody even those who are honest and credible individuals. Though being paranoid is a form of identity theft protection, it affects the victim’s relationship to the people around him.

On top of these, it may cause you to be apprehended with crimes you did not commit. This is because thief can do illegal activities associating your name. He may be involved in bank robbery, rape, murder and other crimes in which you know nothing about. All you have to do is to allow yourself to be handcuffed if that situation comes.

In addition, the thief can do anything with your identity. He may buy expensive house, cars, personal effects, DVDs and many more. He may also apply for loans until your financial company will haunt you of delinquent payments.

Psychologically, this causes you sleepless nights thinking on how you are going to report identity theft to the authorities and to your financial company. Most of all how you are going to get back your clean credit report. The long wait of the correction may further add to your disturbed night sleep. Statistics shows it will take 4 months to years to straighten out the problem.

If the victim cannot stand the emotional and psychological effect of this, it will eventually affect him physically. He might not eat as usual because of depression, feels constipated or experience loose bowel movement, and undergo other physical symptoms which may lead to the worst scenario.

All in all, the effect of identity theft to the victim is devastating as it affects the totality of a person. Although, the effect differs from individual to individual, victims all experience emotional, psychological and physical harms it causes.