How Do Thieves Steal Your Identity

So now you know ID theft is likely to happen to you or someone you know. Another important question about ID theft is how thieves do it. There are a number of different ways it can happen. The shocking reality is that most identity thieves focus on stealing your identity without you knowing about it. In fact, most are quite skilled in knowing exactly how much time they have and what areas of your life and finances they can rob very quickly.

Your checking account may be drained, your credit rating may plunge by 100 or more points, and your reputation may even suffer when a thief gets hold of your information. What would it feel like if you got a call saying your credit cards had been cancelled due to your recent bankruptcy – when you know nothing of a bankruptcy?

All a thief needs to get started is your birth date, any identifying information about you and your social security number. With this information a thief can obtain a drivers license, apply for credit, open a bank account, acquire a car loan, and even obtain a job…all in your name.

It is quite easy to find very personal information the government stores on you. Your real estate deed, property tax information, phone numbers, birth information, court records, and more are readily available and give thieves tools they need to take on your identity.

Many thieves simply acquire your information from a dumpster. They may go through your garbage cans late at night. They might get copies of old checks, credit card or bank statements. Anything that has your name, address or telephone number is a potential gold mine for criminals. Just think of the damage a thief can do with just your credit card statement and your mother’s maiden name.

Consider this example. You get a call from your doctor’s office. They say, “Hi, this is Doctor x’s office. We are processing your claim and just needed to verify your insurance and social security number. Oh, looks like we also don’t have your driver’s license in our file let’s update that while we have you on the line. Ok, and we needed your credit card information for the co-pay.” Well, you did just go to the doctor so you give them the info. Little do you know that someone got your doctor’s statement from your trash and now you just gave this thief all of your information!

One of the number one ways identity thefts can hurt you is by stealing pre-approved offers from credit card companies in the mail. Do you simply toss all those “You’re Pre-approved!” junk mails in the trash? Then it’s only a matter of time before they’re stolen and misused.

More and more criminals are also using the Internet to commit crimes. The Internet is very appealing for a number of reasons. Criminals can obtain passwords, banking information and other personal information without you even realizing it. Many acquire information through programs that seem legitimate.

Have you ever entered personal information like your social security number, credit card numbers, or address, into your computer? Are you on a wireless network? Do you carry your social security card in your wallet? If so, you may have already been targeted by an identity thief!

Think your personal information is safe in the hands of a professional? You are probably mistaken.

A thief can obtain your private information from a number of sources you may not even consider. Your doctor’s office, your dentist, your health insurance carrier, your attorney, your apartment complex… even your current job. Any organization that contains personal and confidential information about you is a potential target for thieves. This is why most reputable organizations now have a privacy policy. Ask for it and read it.

You don’t need to lose your wallet to have your identity stolen.

Some of the more common ways thieves steal information is via social security numbers, credit card numbers, and then sell them via the Internet. Let’s look at this more closely.

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