In the US, investigators in cases of identity theft are expected to be making arrests soon (January 2007). An organised gang of criminals have been involved in a lucrative and elaborate scam which has made them a considerable sum of money. These people, part of an identity theft scam ring, were found to be targeting a nun and, unfortunately, nearly led to the nun losing her home in Dorchester.

The method used was to steal her identity and then to purchase real estate in her name. The purchases were later sold and the mortgages foreclosed. Three suspects were caught recently after investigators stepped into the scam.

The nun, by the name of Melody, commented that she had been through a terrifying ordeal and recounted the feelings she felt when she realised that people were trying to steal her home after first stealing her identity. It turned out that she was not the only victim of that particular scam - and the three people arrested are not the only suspects.

This type of event shows is a graphic illustration of what can happen if people are unwitting victims to identity theft. Personal details about you can be used in a variety of ways by criminals intent on stealing your money and livelihood. In this particular case, the details of the victim were used to purchase houses only to sell them on before mortgages were foreclosed. Following the foreclosure the real identity becomes responsible for any financial loss.

Even simple personal details can be used to effect a large and widespread crime. The safekeeping of personal identity data is important for everyone.