Define Identity Theft...Learn How it Occurs.

There are many different ways we can define identity theft. Here are the typical scenarios...

1. Criminals may steal your mail. They can gain access to all your credit, bank, and mortgage accounts all through your mail. They can also get access to your social security number through your mail.

2. They may look in the garbage outside your home, or the dumpster of a business, or your workplace.

3. They may complete a change of address form in order to forward your mail to another location.

4. Thieves can steal your purse or wallet or rob your home.

5. If they work in a business that has access to your personal information. Doctors' offices, employers, banks, credit card companies, landlords, all have access to your information and so do their employees.

6. They may send you an email asking you to provide personal information to a "legitimate" business entity. A practice known as phishing.

7. Criminals may contact you on the phone, posing as a legitimate company and request your personal information.

8. They can steal your money from your bank account while you are using an atm machine.

has your information, they can do a number of things.

1. They can open a new credit card account in your name.

2. They may purchase a new cell phone and account in your name.

3. The criminals can open a new bank account in your name.

4. Thieves can write checks in your name.

5. Criminals can buy a new car in your name.

6. They can commit a crime in your name.

7. They can obtain a new ID using your information and their picture. 8. They can get a job in your name, and not pay taxes on that income.

9. They can ruin your life!

Below you see a graph that shows the typical results of identity theft and what thieves will do with your information.

Identity theft in America is growing, learn how to protect yourself.

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