Identity theft is becoming the fastest growing crime. It involves
stealing someone personal information and then using it to commit fraud. People
work day and night to earn a living but such criminal actions bring misery to
these folks. Either a new account is created in your name or one of your open
credit card account is used to steal your money. The real criminal runs away with
his loot, while the affected person deals with the arrests and creditor harassments.
According to FTC September 2003 survey nearly 10 million people were victims to
identity fraud in the previous year. Is there a way to battle this fast growing
crime? Yes there is. The article will provide you information on how Identity theft
is carried out and how you can save yourselves from it

Identity Theft -- Types

Identity theft or fraud is of many types. Your identity is stolen either for
a financial fraud or a criminal activity. Financial fraud includes credit
card, bank, tax refund, mail frauds etc. Criminal activities include terrorism,
cyber crimes, drug trafficking, money laundering, getting special permits on
your name and many other criminal actions. According to a study in 2004, nearly
30% of total identity theft crimes occurred due to lost or stolen credit cards
or check books. 25% of identity theft crimes is carried out by relatives, friends
or employees who have access to someone's personal information.

Identity Theft by Stealing Your Information at stores

Nearly 10% of the identity theft cases are carried out on offline networks. At restaurants or retail shops identity stealing is carried out rather smoothly. The cashier can swipe your card twice and you just never know about it. The first time he would ran it for the meal or an item purchased the second time on a magnetic card reader. The information acquired from your credit card would then be placed on a blank card which can be used for purchases on your name. When you will receive your statement, it will contain charges for several items that you never thought of buying. It also happens that when you get a receipt for a purchase, it has your complete credit card number on it and if you sign it as well then some can easily copy your signature and credit card number to steal your information and you become a victim to identity theft.

Identity Theft by Phone Theft

Identity theft can easily be done through telephone. People receive a telephone call from a telemarketing scheme trying to verify their personal information. Now they might be aware of identity theft and won't give their credit card number or social security number but most of them readily give mailing address, phone number, account number or even answer to their security question. From this information someone can easily steal your identity and you get into identity theft.

Identity Theft by Mail Theft

Identity theft also ocurs at mail boxes. Many people leave their paid bills and credit card payments in their mail boxes to be collected by the postal carrier. These bills or payments have your personal information on them. Thieves are looking for such mailboxes and if they get a hand on your bills they can use the information to obtain services in your name. it has also happened that when you get a pre-approved card people steal it. They mail them in and request an address change. They start spending on the credit card and you will be facing the creditors for the purchases you didn't make. Identity theft really is a big problem.

Identity Theft by Online Theft

Many phony websites exist on the internet that can cause identity theft. When you sign up with them they ask for your personal information. This information can be used for acquiring credit. But most of the people are aware of identity theft and only make purchases on a secured website. These websites use SSL technology. Your credit card information is encrypted and sent to the bank fro transaction. In this way other people cannot steal your information. Total computer crimes reported in 2004 were 11.4% of all the identity theft cases. Half of them were carried out by using spy wares.

Identity Theft by Garbage Theft

Garbage accounts for nearly 5% of the total identity theft cases. Sometimes
you throw away bills, pre-approved cards and other papers that have your personal
information on them like credit card numbers, social security numbers, address
etc. These can easily be picked up form the garbage and result in identity stealing.
During tax season, people throw away their old receipts and financial records
like credit reports which are
a very easy source of acquiring someone's personal information for identity theft.