Identity theft is on the rise. The consequences of identity theft are frightening. Identity thieves can use your personal information for a variety of wrongful ends. In particular, identity thieves may use your personal information to open a new credit card account in your name and use the card to rack up large debts for which you may be held responsible; fraudulently obtain identification, such as a driver's license with your name and/or picture; establish a phone account in your name, then make expensive long-distance calls.