| According to the Federal Trade Commission, the most | | | | number to get employment. With the ever increasing |
| common types of identity theft are credit card fraud, | | | | influx of illegal immigrants looking for work in the United |
| utility fraud, bank and loan fraud, employment-related | | | | States, the chance of somebody using your social |
| fraud, and government document or benefit fraud. | | | | security number to find gainful employment is on the |
| While many people are award of credit card fraud as | | | | rise. In fact, about two percent of victims over the age |
| it is the number one crime committed and is also the | | | | of 60 reported that an identity thief used their personal |
| easiest way a criminal can use your information, it is | | | | information for employment purposes. While you can |
| important to understand the other types of identity | | | | reduce the possibility of this crime by keeping tight |
| theft in order to protect yourself. It is the goal of this | | | | control of who has access to your social security |
| article to discuss remaining four types of identity theft | | | | number, there are no guarantees as many of these |
| and some ways to protect you from each method. | | | | illegal immigrants will pick as social security number at |
| While nobody is completely safe from identity theft, | | | | random. While most people utilizing this method are |
| there are steps you can take to reduce the chance of | | | | simply people looking for work and not true identity |
| becoming a victim. | | | | thieves, the method is still illegal and can cause some |
| Identity theft can extend to utility fraud which is | | | | negative effects for the victim. |
| currently rated the number two type of fraud in the | | | | The second type of employment fraud should be |
| United States and is actually higher then credit card | | | | particularly concerning to most Americans as this is the |
| fraud in certain states. Utility fraud is relatively easy to | | | | practice of a thief obtaining employment in small |
| commit and is the practice of an identity thief using | | | | businesses such as doctor's offices, dentists, and |
| your personal information to obtain utility accounts such | | | | banks to gain access to patient or customer records. |
| as gas, electric, water and sewer, cable, and other | | | | Because it is the responsibility of a business to keep |
| services. The thief can also setup telecommunication | | | | their records safe, there is very little an individual can |
| accounts such a home or cell phone and in many | | | | do about this type of crime other then choose only |
| cases a thief needs only your name, address and | | | | well known and reputable businesses with a strong |
| phone number to commit utility fraud. About 15 percent | | | | privacy policy. |
| of senior victims report that an identity thief obtained | | | | Government fraud can occur in many ways including |
| unauthorized telecommunications or utility equipment or | | | | tactics such as applying for government benefits, |
| services in their name. In order to avoid utility fraud it is | | | | unemployment insurance, financial aid, or even filing for |
| imperative that you keep a tight rein on all of your | | | | bankruptcy while using somebody else's social security |
| personal information. Burn or shred any documents or | | | | number. Some identity thieves will commit traffic |
| mail with your personal information on it instead of | | | | violations or other crimes and then give a victims |
| putting it in the trash as many thieves are not above | | | | personal information when caught as it is easy to get |
| dumpster diving. | | | | falsified drivers licenses, state ID's, bank cards, and |
| Bank and loan fraud is another identity theft crime that | | | | social security numbers if you know where to look. |
| often affects the elderly as about 10 percent of all | | | | While government fraud is a major focus for the law |
| victims over age 60 reported fraud involving their | | | | enforcement groups and agencies in the United States |
| checking or saving accounts and seven percent | | | | and government fraud comes with a high penalty, too |
| reported that an identity thief obtained a loan in their | | | | few criminals are ever caught. Once again it is up to |
| name. Bank fraud is sometimes perpetrated from the | | | | you to protect your personal information to avoid this |
| inside by a bank employee or manager who already | | | | type of fraud. |
| has access to financial information and will sell it to the | | | | As you can see, identity thieves are not limited to |
| highest bidder. There are also thieves who already | | | | credit card fraud but can practice other techniques |
| have some of your information and will disguise | | | | such as the four listed above. Even though credit card |
| themselves as a bank official to try and get banking | | | | fraud, utility fraud, bank and loan fraud, |
| account numbers. Never give any information over the | | | | employment-related fraud, and government document |
| phone to somebody that claims that they work for a | | | | fraud are the top 5 methods that identity theft criminals |
| financial institution. Instead, ask for an appointment | | | | utilize, it would be foolish to think that they are the only |
| where you can meet with them in person at the bank. | | | | methods available. The methods that an enterprising |
| It is also important that you never click on an e-mail link | | | | thieve may employ is limited by only their imagination. |
| in a message said to be from a financial institution | | | | Because identity theft has become so common a |
| asking for information to verify your account. A | | | | crime it is impossible to be completely safe but you |
| legitimate bank will never use this type of | | | | can take steps to reduce the risk. The important thing |
| communication. | | | | is to take some type of action be it taking steps on |
| Employment fraud comes in two styles with the first | | | | your own or employing an identity theft program such |
| type being where someone steals your social security | | | | as LifeLock. |