| Identity theft can be very frustrating, especially when | | | | telecommunications fraud, tax fraud, computer fraud, |
| you find out that someone has stolen your identity and | | | | mail fraud, and even social program fraud. This is the |
| run up thousands of dollars in debt that you knew | | | | most common type of fraud out there, but of course it |
| nothing about. There are many innocent people who | | | | is not the only type. |
| end up dealing with the frustration of identity theft, so it | | | | Protecting Yourself |
| is important that you understand the definition of | | | | So, now that you understand a bit more about the |
| identity theft and how you can protect yourself as well. | | | | definition of identity theft, you may want to learn how |
| Different Types of Identity Theft | | | | you can protect yourself. The following are a few tips |
| First of all, identity theft can involve various areas in | | | | to keep yourself protected from identity theft. |
| your life. Identity theft involves any time when a thief | | | | - Destroy Documents - If you want to avoid identity |
| uses identification documents or other methods of | | | | theft, then you need to make sure that you destroy |
| identification of someone else in order to impersonate | | | | important documents. You should shred documents like |
| the person. Believe it or not, more than 10 million people | | | | credit card offers, bank statements, and any |
| in the U.S. alone have been victims of identity theft. So, | | | | paperwork with personal information on them. |
| let's take a closer look at the two different types of | | | | - Never Give Out Personal Information - Also, if you |
| identity theft. | | | | want to protect yourself, you should never give out |
| - Criminal Activities - First of all, identity theft can | | | | your personal information. Especially avoid giving out |
| include criminal activities. This involves an identity thief | | | | information about yourself online. |
| using someone else identity so that they can commit | | | | - Review Your Credit Report - Taking the time to |
| some kind of crime, hide their identity, commit terrorism | | | | review your credit report every year can help protect |
| acts, get permits, or even get into a country. Some of | | | | you from identity theft. This way you'll find suspicious |
| the crimes in this type of identity theft include | | | | accounts or other problem as soon as possible. |
| laundering money, organized crime, cyber and | | | | - Take a Look at Credit Card Statements - You |
| computer crimes, alien smuggling, and even drug | | | | should also take a look at your credit card statements |
| trafficking. | | | | each month. This way you can check for any |
| - Financial Fraud - Financial fraud is probably a lot more | | | | purchases that you are not aware of to make sure |
| popular and it includes credit card fraud, bank fraud, | | | | someone does not have your credit card number. |