2. Collect Your Government Benefits

If you receive government benefits of any kind, a thief who has assumed your identity can get access to them. If your welfare or disability suddenly stops showing up, the cause could be an Internet savvy hacker who has diverted your funds to his own account.

3. File Tax Returns Using Your Identity

A hacker who has obtained enough information to assume your identity can begin to live a whole new life as you. The criminal’s own job history and financial past are likely too dirty to land him a good job. Your perfect history, on the other hand, could help him get a great gig. After working as you, the criminal may decide to file taxes under your name and make off with a nice refund.

Not only will you experience trouble when two tax returns are filed under your name, you could also suffer the effects of fraudulent information submitted to the IRS by the criminal. Should you apply for another job in the future, this false trail of employment may also follow you.