Voter ID theft in America

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Nine-million Americans are victims of identity theft every year, and now thieves have a new way to rip you off.

The Austin Better Business Bureau warns Americans of a new scam across the country to steal their identities through voter registration.

Thieves call their victims, offer to register them to vote and then ask for personal information such as social security numbers. In fact, a person only needs to provide their name, mailing address and a valid signature when they register to vote. None of these things are considered of an intensely personal nature.

The deadline to register in 2008 is Oct. 6, and the government office at 5501 Airport will remain open that day until midnight that day.