Identity theft is pretty much when someone's personal information is stolen and used to commit fraud or other crimes. It is a very serious crime in the world. The main personal information that people steal is your name, your social security number, or your credit card number. You or someone you know may be a victim to identity theft. Someone could steal your identity with different methods :
· Dumpster diving is were someone goes through your trash looking for your personal information like bills. · Skimming is were they steal your credit/debit card numbers by using a storage device when processing your card. · Phishing is were someone pretends to be a financial institution or a company and send spam or pop-up messages to get your personal information. · Changing your address is were they change your billing statments to another location by signing a change of address form. · Old-fahsioned stealing is were they steal wallets or purses, mail, credit offers, new checks or tax information, they steal personal information or bribe someone with that kind of access. · Pretexting is were they use false pretenses to gain personal information from financial institutes, phone companies, and other sources. They can create new accounts in your name without you realizing. They can use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, or television. They can create counterfit checks. They can clone your ATM or debit card and withdraw money from your account. They can get a drivers license under your name but with their picture. They can use your social security number to get government benifits. They can use your social security number to get a job. They can rent a house or get medical service under your name. They may also give your information to police during an arrest. If you moniter your accounts and bank statments each month and check your credit report on a regular basis there is more of a chance that your