Identity Theft - Be Aware! Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves

Unfortunately for us law-abiding citizens, criminals are getting smarter. We no longer have to simply worry about physical crimes, or crimes that we can see. These days many of the crimes committed against us happen without our knowledge.

Frighteningly, identity theft is happening more and more frequently. Thieves steal certain components of your personal information and use it to either (a.) impersonate you or (b.) commit crimes in your name. They will often run-up huge charges on your credit accounts or empty your bank accounts. These actions can damage your credit, leave you in dire financial straits, or even get you in trouble with the law. Identity theft is a scary reality that is affecting more and more of us every day.

What They Steal?

Identity thieves look to find a person’s personal information in order to pass themselves off as that person Aside from just name, address and phone number, these criminals are looking to steal information that will make it easier to pass themselves off as that person or to get access to their financial accounts.

The thieves steal things like:

• Birth certificates
• Passports
• Banking information; including debit cards and credit cards. Or, they’ll look to get a copy of your credit card bill in order to gain access to your credit card number
• Driver’s license numbers
• Social insurance numbers or cards

How They Steal?

Unfortunately, we are all too vulnerable to identity thieves. Our information is everywhere, and while sometimes it is stolen because of the intelligence of thieves, other times our own carelessness leaves us open to identity theft.

These are some examples of some of the ways our identification and information is stolen:

• Buying items online from unsecured websites
• Retrieving information from our trash. Often people throw out their bills or bank statements without shredding them first. You should always destroy any documents that have personal information on them before recycling them.
• Stealing information from your home, purse or wallet
• Making fraudulent phone calls (posing as a government agency or financial institution) and asking you for your information
• Breaking into your mailbox or having your mail redirected
• Altering bank machines or credit terminals to steal your PIN numbers and credit card numbers

How To Protect Yourself?

As noted above, there are many ways for thieves to steal your information and commit identity crimes against you. Being vigilant about protecting your information is one step. Another precaution that can be taken is to take advantage of programs that will alert you to any suspicious activity, monitor your credit, and ultimately insure you against any losses that you may incur. It all depends on your aversion to risk.

At the very least, take precautions today, and shred your financial documents before recycling!

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