It seems like almost every day now that someone, or some company, has become the latest victim of identity theft.
That’s hardly surprising though, as identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes of our time.
Easier Than You May Realise
You may think, with the advent of new technology, that identity theft is not possible.
Unfortunately, however, that is not the case as those behind this type of crime are well versed in the technology themselves.
A growing number of victims are testament to how identity theft is becoming pandemic in our society.
Identity theft crimes are happening every day, often committed by those closest to us, and are very much on the increase.
Once you understand how identity theft can occur, you will be far better equipped to ensure that you don’t become a statistic.
How Do Identity Thieves Operate?
Here are some of the ways in which identity thieves operate -
- They can steal your wallet or handbag which will often contain a huge amount of personal information.
- They may steal your mail which could include sensitive information, such as bank and credit card details. If you ever notice anyone rummaging through your garbage then you should report them immediately.
- They could actually break into your home and search for personal information.
- They can certainly steal information on the internet. Commonly, this would be via a technique known as ‘phishing‘ – an email from your bank, eBay or Paypal, for instance, will state that your account has been compromised and that you need to verify your information.
- They can obtain your credit report information by posing as your employer. This is easily done if the thief is aware of your place of employment.
- They can request a copy of your birth certificate. If they have enough relevant information then this form of identity theft can be particularly devastating.
The above are just a few of the ways that criminals can steal your identity.
Always do all that you can to protect the security of your property, bank accounts and credit card information as best you can.
Also, return here, as there will be several more posts and tips about identity theft over the next couple of weeks.