| In order to help protect yourself from identity theft, you | | | | needs to gain access to that account. It just goes |
| need to know the five primary ways that identity theft | | | | downhill from there. |
| is accomplished. By knowing these five ways, you can | | | | A third method used to accomplish identity theft is the |
| take the steps needed to protect yourself from | | | | skimming fraud. A skimming fraud only works on credit |
| becoming the victim of an identity thief. | | | | cards. To accomplish the theft by skimming, the |
| A major way that identity theft is accomplished is | | | | information on your credit card is written down or |
| through dumpster diving. People, strangers, neighbors, | | | | scanned with a skimming device. The information |
| or even friends and relatives, go through your trash to | | | | gained includes the three-digit security code on the |
| find what they are looking for. When dumpster diving, | | | | back of the card. The information obtained allows |
| most identity thieves are looking for any type of | | | | them to use your credit card number to order items |
| document that they can use to gain access to your | | | | online, or in other places where the card is not required |
| identity. Mostly, they are looking for credit card | | | | to be present. |
| statements or utility bills. They can even get some of | | | | A fourth way that identity theft is accomplished is |
| the information that they need to gain access to your | | | | through theft of your mail, either mail that you have put |
| identity by opening up your junk mail. | | | | out for the postal worker or mail that has been |
| Another way that identity theft occurs is through | | | | delivered to your house. Through examination of your |
| phishing scams. Phishing scams are becoming the | | | | mail, the identity thief may find outgoing checks to pay |
| most popular method, because of how easy it is to | | | | utility bills or incoming bank statements or new bills. |
| accomplish, plus the lower risk of ever being caught. A | | | | Each of these may include sufficient information to |
| phishing scam works in this way; the identity thief will | | | | allow the identity thief to assume your identity. |
| send out an email that looks legitimate, usually it will | | | | The fifth way that identity theft is accomplished is |
| appear to be from a bank or credit card company. | | | | simple burglary, such as breaking into your house or |
| The email asks you to click on the link provided and | | | | even your car. Your car registration and insurance |
| update your account information or verify some | | | | information are usually left in the car and contain the |
| information in your account. Once you click on the link, | | | | information a skilled identity thief needs to gain access |
| you are redirected to a website that looks just like | | | | to your identity. The theft of your stereo or GPS |
| your bank or credit card website; however, it is actually | | | | navigation system may be taken to cover the real |
| a phony website. Once you enter in your personal | | | | motive for the break-in. |
| information, you have given the identity thief all he/she | | | | |