Identity Theft is defined by State Statute as when a person commits the crime of identity theft if he or she knowingly and with the intent to deceive or defraud obtains, possesses, transfers, uses, or attempts to obtain, transfer or use, one or more means of identification not lawfully issued for his or her use. View State Statute RsMO 570.223.

Commonly, people believe they are victims of identity theft if their credit cards are stolen and used. That is not always the case. If your credit card has been stolen and used by another person, you are the victim of theft and credit card fraud. If your credit card number has been stolen and used, but you still have your credit card in your possession, you are the victim of identity theft.

If you are a Creve Coeur resident and think you are a victim of identity theft, please contact Detective Nicole Bible at (314) 872-2544. You should bring these three things when you meet with detectives:

Phishing is when a fraudulent website uses bank information, for example a site that copies the look of a bank web site and asks you to update your information. Vishing is the telephone version of this, for example when someone calls you and asks for your personal information.

Identity Theft is not always perpetrated by a stranger. In some instances, people are victimized by people they know who would have easy access to their information.