| It's the number one source of consumer complaints at | | | | garbage, in the trash can or at the dump, to find |
| the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and | | | | sensitive information. |
| unfortunately, it's one of the simplest crimes to commit. | | | | The most common form of identity theft is credit card |
| Identity theft involves information from your daily life, | | | | fraud. Technology has allowed criminals to begin |
| from shopping, bill-paying, and even applying for a job. | | | | stealing your credit or debit card numbers as you use |
| Thieves take advantage of everyday opportunities to | | | | the cards, "skimming" them with an information storage |
| discover your personal information, including your Social | | | | device. In addition, thousands of drivers' licenses and |
| Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account | | | | credit and debit cards are stolen each year. Keeping |
| numbers, income, name, address, or phone number, | | | | your Social Security card in a secure location and |
| and use it to commit fraud or other crimes. | | | | safeguarding your purse or wallet while at work are |
| How can a stranger get to your information? | | | | necessary precautions. |
| According to the FTC, identity thieves may pose as | | | | Even your mail is a source for identity thieves, who |
| legitimate representatives of an organization, as | | | | may complete credit card applications in your name |
| business professionals or agents of the government, | | | | and go on a spending spree. After stealing your bank |
| conning you into revealing sensitive information. | | | | or credit card statements, tax information, or box of |
| Common scams include impersonating employees | | | | replacement checks, criminals are able to access your |
| from banks, credit card companies, Internet service | | | | accounts and spend the funds in your name. They |
| providers, and utility companies. If someone calls you | | | | may even change the address on your existing |
| claiming to represent a legitimate organization, confirm | | | | account, diverting the bills to keep you from recognizing |
| this by calling the customer service number listed on | | | | the problem until it's too late. Being aware of your billing |
| your statement or bill. | | | | cycles can help you catch a discrepancy in the arrival |
| Thieves may also use your place of employment to | | | | of your statements. |
| get the information they need. A co-worker may steal | | | | Identity thieves have a variety of ways to use your |
| information from your employer; someone could hack | | | | information for their personal gain. They may shop for |
| into your company's computer and copy employee | | | | big-ticket items using your credit or bank account |
| records; or a criminal could resort to the old-fashioned | | | | information and then sell the items for cash. With your |
| method of bribing someone you work with for your | | | | SSN and date of birth, they can open new bank |
| information. Check with your employer to find out the | | | | accounts or apply for lines of credit. In fact, banks |
| company policy on securing your records and | | | | have granted loans to criminals using stolen identities |
| disposing of them when you're gone. | | | | for purchases as large as cars. |
| If your employer is authorized to pull credit reports on | | | | Telephone or internet service can be set up using your |
| employees or potential customers, someone could | | | | SSN. Thieves can avoid impending eviction or |
| take advantage of this access to retrieve illegal | | | | accumulated debt by filing bankruptcy in your name. |
| reports. Criminals may also pose as employers, | | | | Perhaps the most emotionally traumatic, police could |
| landlords, or collection agents to pull your credit | | | | issue a warrant for you if a criminal was arrested |
| information. It's a good idea to order a copy of your | | | | using your name and failed to appear at a court |
| credit report once a year to check for unauthorized | | | | hearing. |
| entries. | | | | The ways that identity thieves have conceived to |
| Shredding your documents before you throw them | | | | acquire your personal information are numerous, but |
| away is also good idea, whether at work or at home. | | | | your vigilance and heightened awareness can curb |
| Identity thieves have been known to sift through | | | | their ability to make you a victim. |