| Identity theft is a crime that involves an individual | | | | valuable correspondences that contain your |
| assuming the identity of another person. This can | | | | personal information like bills, credit card and bank |
| be done only when the personal information of | | | | statements, credit card offers, tax information |
| the said victim is stolen. The government has | | | | and even birthday cards. These mails are often |
| recognized the seriousness of this crime which is | | | | intercepted by identity theft criminals so if you |
| why there have been laws that protect the | | | | notice that you haven't been receiving your usual |
| individuals from being victims of identity theft and | | | | mail, report it immediately. |
| how they can easily recover when they are | | | | 5. Bribing employees or "insiders." Identity theft |
| victimized. | | | | criminals often bribe employees who work on |
| Knowing how the crime works can significantly | | | | government agencies, banks, credit card |
| help you determine the steps that you need to | | | | institutions because these people have access to |
| take to make yourself less attractive to identity | | | | valuable personal information. At times, even |
| theft criminals. Listed below are a couple of | | | | waiters and cashier clerks are bribed to record |
| methods used by skilled and professional identity | | | | the credit card information of their customers. |
| theft criminals to gain access to your personal | | | | 6. Pretexting. The identity theft criminal poses as |
| information. | | | | either you, or a representative from a certain |
| 1. Shoulder surfing. This is done by watching you | | | | institution to obtain your personal information |
| from a nearby location as you punch your PIN | | | | from banks, phone, credit companies and other |
| number in ATM machines. It can also be done by | | | | agencies that might have your personal data. |
| listening to conversations or when you give your | | | | 7. Skimming. Using special devices that scan and |
| personal information to another person over the | | | | store your credit and debit card numbers including |
| phone. | | | | the PIN numbers for these cards. They can be |
| 2. Dumspter diving. This is done by scouring your | | | | handheld devices or installed in ATM machines. |
| trash bins for credit card bills, bank account | | | | 8. Phishing. Sending out legitimate-looking emails |
| statements, or any other documents that contain | | | | from reputable institutions like banks, or lotto |
| your personal information. People often throw | | | | companies to lure you into divulging your personal |
| their important documents on the trash without | | | | information. |
| shredding them which makes garbage cans gold | | | | 9. Changing your address. Filling out a change of |
| mines for identity theft criminals. | | | | address form to divert your billing statements and |
| 3. Snatching wallets and purses. This is one of the | | | | other correspondences to their specified location |
| oldest methods utilized by identity thieves. They | | | | so that you will not notice the charges in your |
| steal wallets and purses because people often | | | | credit card. |
| keep their credit cards and ATM cards in these | | | | There are a lot of ways on how identity thieves |
| locations. When the criminal is lucky, they even | | | | can gain access to your identity. Knowing how |
| find PIN numbers written on the ATM cards that | | | | your personal data is stolen can give you a better |
| they steal. | | | | picture and help you sort out the things that you |
| 4. Stealing mail. Your mailbox contains a lot of | | | | need to protect yourself against identity theft. |