Josh Stockinger reports in Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) that a woman in Illinois (Claudia Madrigal) was charged with identity theft after accessing another woman’s consumer credit report, although no money or property was stolen.  The Class 3 felony is punishable by two to five years in prison. Madrigal used her position at an insurance company to access the report.  The victim notified the police after she learned that an insurance company had inquired about her credit even though she had no ties to the company. Obtaining or possessing personal information constitutes identity theft, even if the information is not used for anything. 

Source:  “Aurora woman charged in ID theft.(News).” Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) (April 2, 2009): 4. Custom Newspapers. Gale. Westchester Library System. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/start.do?prodId=SPN.SP00.