Take Care of Your Driver’s License
Using another person’s driver’s license during an encounter with law enforcement is one of the most common kinds of identity theft. There are many reasons why someone would use another person’s driver’s license, but usually it is to get out of a ticket. Sometimes, though, someone has a more serious offense already on his or her license so another person’s license comes in handy. If this happens, the person who actually owns the license could be subject to legal action, particularly in cases of DUI charges. For this reason, it is critical that you take care of your driver’s license and never let it out of your possession.
Who would steal a driver’s license?
Many people would benefit from having someone else’s driver’s license in their possession. Teenagers who want to appear older than they are might take a parent’s driver’s license, while professional criminals steal them to provide full identities to unscrupulous people looking to make money under another person’s name. Regardless of who wants to get hold of your license, the key for you is to keep it safe.
How do you know if someone has your driver’s license?
As with many other kinds of identity theft, you might not even know someone has pilfered your driver’s license until you get in some kind of trouble. This might happen when you are stopped for a routine traffic violation and you get arrested for an outstanding warrant. What a shock that would be! You would have to spend some time in jail and get an attorney to help you get the situation straightened out. To keep this from happening, it is best to periodically obtain a copy of your driver’s record to make sure it reflects what it should.
How do you fight driver’s license identity theft?
As soon as you are aware that someone has used your driver’s license without your knowledge, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since the problem of identity theft has become widespread, every state has a specific unit that handles identity theft and will take your case seriously. You might have to deal with a lot of paperwork and make several phone calls, but the DMV is dedicated to resolving the issues of innocent drivers. If you find that your driver’s license has been used to commit fraud, be sure to have your driver’s license number changed. This way, the police can track any activity that occurs using your old number after you changed it and will have a better chance at catching the thief.
Getting your driver’s license is an exciting time; but you have to take care to ensure that it stays in your possession at all times. Do not provide an opportunity for someone else to assume your identity by stealing your driver’s license from you.