Identity theft is rising in the recession, according to a Brooklyn public defender I talked to at a party this weekend. Most often the crime starts with the perp stealing the victim’s checkbook, he said.

With that, they’ve usually got your name, address, and definitely your bank account and routing number, all of which they can use to open up new accounts in your name and go on a spending spree, leaving you hanging with the charges. Not to mention, of course, just using those checks in the checkbook to buy stuff.

Who’s doing the lifting? Service personnel the victim let into their home, like maids and electricians. Unsettling , you ask them to clean the house and instead they clean you out.

(Photo: Betsssssy)

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