What can someone do with your ID?

Your ID is more than a card or a digital file. It holds personal information that cybercriminals can exploit for fraud, impersonation, or creating fake identities. Losing your ID, having it stolen, or even sharing a digital copy can put you at serious risk.

This article explains what can happen if someone gets your ID, shows real-world examples of misuse, highlights warning signs, and gives practical steps to protect yourself.

Please note: This information is for general educational purposes and not financial or legal advice.

Can someone steal your identity with just your ID?

A stolen ID can put you at risk of identity theft, but the level of damage depends on what type of ID it is and how it’s used. Your ID contains sensitive details like your full name, date of birth, and sometimes your address or signature, which is all information that criminals can potentially exploit.

In many cases, an ID by itself isn’t enough to open a bank account or take out a loan, since most institutions require extra documents or verification. However, fraudsters can use it to impersonate you in lower-security situations like rental agreements, phone contracts, or online services with weak identity checks.

Even a digital copy of your ID can be misused to create fake documents or pass online verification. That’s why losing your ID, physically or digitally, should be taken seriously and reported right away.

Why identity documents are high-value targets

Identity documents act like keys to your financial life. Criminals see them as valuable because they can provide access to money, services, and accounts.

Government-issued IDs such as driver’s licenses, passports, or digital scans can be sold on the dark web, where buyers may use them to commit fraud. This makes your ID a high-value target for scammers and thieves who want to make quick money or impersonate you themselves.

Real-world examples of ID-based identity theft

Identity theft can happen in many ways and at vastly different scales, from sophisticated state-backed cyber operations to small-scale schemes targeting individuals. Below are a few examples:

1. Fake student aid applications (2025, USA): In 2025, scammers used stolen PII to file fake FAFSA (student aid) applications, exploiting verified identity details to fraudulently access government aid intended for students.
2. Cybercriminal impersonates a doctor to avoid child support (2019, Hawaii, USA): A Kentucky man, Jesse Kipf, stole a doctor’s login credentials and used them to access Hawaii’s death registry system. He then created a false death certificate certifying himself as deceased using the doctor’s identity in part to avoid paying child support.
3. Social worker steals client identities (USA, 2019): Former Orange County social worker stole Social Security numbers and personal data from clients over nearly a decade. He used the stolen PII to file hundreds of fraudulent tax returns, obtain welfare benefits, open credit cards, and create fake bank accounts.

What can someone do with your ID copy?

Even a photocopy or scanned image of your ID can be used in harmful ways. Criminals can use ID copies to support fraudulent applications, such as creating fake utility accounts or signing up for phone contracts in your name. Some scammers submit them as part of “know your customer” (KYC) checks when registering for online services, including cryptocurrency exchanges.

An ID copy can also be used to strengthen social engineering attacks. For example, a scammer might send your ID to a company’s support team to reset access to one of your accounts. Others may use ID copies to create convincing fake social media profiles, making it easier to trick your contacts or commit romance scams.

Digital copies pose the highest risk because they can be duplicated endlessly, circulated online, or sold on the dark web. Once exposed, it’s practically impossible to control where your ID copy ends up.

How scammers forge documents using ID copies

Scammers can use your ID copy as the base to create convincing forgeries. Because modern scans are high resolution, they don’t necessarily need physical access to your ID. A single photo or scan shared online can give them everything they need.

With editing software, they can alter scanned IDs by changing personal details, swapping photos, or removing security marks. Counterfeit templates and hologram overlays are also sold on the dark web, making it easier to replicate driver’s licenses, passports, or Social Security cards.

Some fraudsters print these altered documents on specialized card stock with commercial-grade printers, producing IDs that pass casual inspection. Others keep the forgeries digital, using them to bypass online verification checks where only an upload is required.

Synthetic identity creation and fraud

Cybercriminals can combine information from your driver’s license with fake details to create a synthetic identity. This is a new, fake identity that appears real to banks and other organizations. They can use it to apply for credit cards, loans, or government benefits. And because these identities are partially true, detection can take a long time. Traditional fraud checks that look for exact matches can fail when pieces are truthful but combined in new ways.

How criminals use stolen or copied IDs

When criminals get hold of IDs, they may be able to open new accounts, commit crimes while impersonating you, or sell your information online. Some may also use the threat of exposure to pressure victims. Below are some of the most common forms of misuse:

• Selling your identity on the dark web: Your personal details, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number, can be traded on hidden online marketplaces and then used for committing various scams.
• Phishing your contacts using your identity: Cybercriminals can send emails or messages pretending to be you. Your friends, family, or colleagues may share money, passwords, or sensitive data, thinking the request is genuine.
• Using your ID in rental or insurance scams: Scammers may be able to rent apartments, borrow cars, use your health insurance, and file other fake insurance claims using your ID.
• Committing employment or benefits fraud: Using your ID, criminals could attempt to apply for jobs, unemployment benefits, or government assistance in your name. All of this can affect your taxes, future job applications, or benefit eligibility.
• Committing crimes under your name: Criminal identity theft generally involves non-violent crimes, like traffic violations or minor offenses, recorded under your identity until proven innocent.

How to tell if someone is using your ID

It can be hard to know right away if someone is using your ID, but paying attention to unusual activity can help. Small warning signs often appear before major problems develop, so monitoring your accounts and looking for warning signs is key. ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender can also help U.S. subscribers detect problems early via dark web monitoring and credit monitoring, giving you alerts if your personal details or credit are at risk.

Early warning signs to watch for

Some common signs that your ID may be misused include unexpected bills or collection notices, unfamiliar charges on your bank or credit accounts, calls from debt collectors for accounts you didn’t open, rejection of credit applications, or letters about government benefits you didn’t apply for.

Even emails or messages from friends or colleagues asking about unusual requests could be a red flag. For more guidance on spotting misuse, see our guide on various signs of identity theft.

Tools and services to detect ID misuse

While there are no tools designed to detect ID misuse directly, you can use related services that help spot suspicious activity tied to your identity. For instance, credit monitoring alerts you to changes in your credit report, such as new accounts or hard inquiries you didn’t make. You can also reduce risk by regularly reviewing your bank and financial accounts for transactions you don’t recognize.

Similarly, some identity protection services monitor dark web forums and marketplaces for leaked personal data, giving you an early warning if your details surface there.

What to do if your ID is lost or stolen

Losing your ID or having it stolen can be stressful, but acting quickly can limit the damage.

Steps to report the incident

Report the loss or theft to the appropriate authorities. For a driver’s license or government ID, contact your local DMV or issuing agency. If it’s a passport, notify your country’s passport office. File a police report to create an official record. Inform banks, credit card companies, and other relevant institutions so they can watch for suspicious activity or temporarily freeze accounts. These steps help create a paper trail and make it easier to resolve problems later.

For more detailed information about reporting and protecting yourself, see our guide on how to report identity theft.

Freezing credit and monitoring accounts

Freezing your credit prevents new accounts from being opened in your name, which can stop scammers from using your information. To properly freeze your credit, you’ll need to contact all three main credit bureaus individually.

For more detailed guidance, see our guide on how to freeze your credit.

How to protect your identity from future misuse

Once your ID is secure again, you should focus on lowering the risk of future misuse. Small changes in daily habits help. Limit how much personal information you share, store copies of your ID safely, and follow identity theft prevention tips to strengthen your defenses.

Don’t overshare personal details online

Criminals can collect information from social media, forums, or job sites. Avoid posting sensitive details like your birthday, home address, or ID photos. Even small bits of information can be pieced together to impersonate you.

Use a VPN to mask your browsing activity

A virtual private network (VPN) hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. While it won’t prevent malicious actors from stealing your ID, a VPN makes it harder for cybercriminals to track you or steal data when you’re online. It’s especially useful when using unsecured public Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, or hotels.