<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
How does identity theft happen?
<|assistant|>
Identity theft can happen when a person's personal data is obtained and used without their knowledge or consent. In most cases, this information is then used to access bank accounts or take out loans in the victim's name, although it can also be used to make purchases or for more malicious activities, like applying for a job or setting up a new phone account. Identity thieves can get access to personal information in a variety of ways, from phishing emails to data breaches to malware on unsecured computers.  Once a person's identity has been stolen, it can be incredibly difficult to get the fraudulent activities reversed, as banks and other companies often require a lot of paperwork and a lengthy process to validate a victim's claims.