 How do Identity Thieves Steal your Information?
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Knowing how an Identity Thief can get
your information is one step to prevention
Here are some of the ways that have been used by identity thieves to get
the information they need in order to do their dirty work.
Stolen mail and trash
Curbside recycling in some neighborhoods
means that all the "good stuff" for identity thieves is no
longer mixed-in with the garbage. Consider using a shredder for
your more sensitive information.
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Pre-approved credit offers
- Telephone calling cards
- Tax information
- Pay stubs
- Credit card carbons
- Stolen trash of a business
If a mailbox theft occurs, that's a Federal
crime and you can get the Feds on your side. Contact your local
postmaster, or see the U.S.
Postal Inspection Service website.
To help prevent theft, deposit mail in post office collection boxes, not
your own mailbox. Quickly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery,
and request mail be held when you're gone.
Fraudulently Obtained Credit Reports
Your credit report is a gold mine of
information. Fortunately, the credit reporting agencies have become much
more careful about the information that is divulged, and more careful
about the types of businesses eligible to get credit information.
| Credit Reports Don't Tell All - But They Tell a Lot |
| Account numbers are
normally disguised by asterisks in place of some of the digits, and
your social security number is not revealed unless it is already
known by the requestor of the report. Still, a credit report gives a
lot of background information that would help an identity thief to
impersonate you. See your credit report. |
Your best defense is to check for
suspicious inquiries on all three of your credit reports. A suspicious
inquiry is one that is not the result of you applying for
credit (or a job, or an apartment.)
Old-Fashioned Theft
- Stolen wallet
- Stolen purse
On the bright side, if a physical theft has
occurred, you'll find it easier to get help from the local police
department. Still, there are important steps you should take after a theft
(and important things you should do before a theft has occurred, if
possible.) Visit
the lost or stolen wallet page.
Other
- Dishonest employees with access to your
records.
- Dishonest workers with access to your
home. (Don't leave your information open to view, even at home.)
- Information carelessly divulged by you.
(Never email your social security or credit card number.)
- Information stolen (or
"hacked") from a legitimate business or website.
- Email, instant messages, or rogue
websites that trick you into divulging your personal information
- Misdirected emails and faxes you may
have sent
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