Identities Stolen?
Keith Londrie II

Defined Tag: Identity Theft Help.

Identity theft is a crime of opportunity. A criminal, or even someone who is
not yet a criminal, sees an opportunity, and takes advantage of it. Even
criminals who work as part of identity theft rings depend on opportunity to
gain access to the information they need.

In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the majority of identity theft
doesn’t happen online. Really. More identity theft takes place in the ‘real
world’ than online. And it often happens in ways that you would never expect.

One of the most common methods of identity theft is dumpster diving.
Dumpster diving is when someone goes through your trash looking for identifying
information. And you don’t have to use a dumpster. The trash can that you put
out at the corner the night before pickup is just as vulnerable as a public
dumpster.

Many other threats exist in the real world, too. Shoulder surfing is one
that might surprise you. When a criminal is shoulder surfing, they’re watching
over your shoulder, waiting to capture your personal information when you’re
most unaware. Many people put themselves at risk using a cell phone. A shoulder
surfer will snap pictures or capture video of buttons that you key in while
you’re using the phone.

It’s so difficult to know who might be an identity thief, where they might
strike, or what method they may use to capture your personal information that
you must always be vigilant about protecting yourself. In public and even in
your own home you need to develop safe living practices that help you protect
yourself.

The most important safety practice you can develop is to always be vigilant
about your surroundings and the risk that you create for yourself. Think about
the ways that you could be compromising your information – throwing out junk
mail, leaving your mail in the mailbox for days at a time, and using your phone
for credit card purchases while you’re standing in line at the grocery store.
And then change those habits.

Only by being aware of the risks that are associated with identity theft,
and being conscious of how you contribute to those risks can you begin to
protect yourself. As the old adage goes, “knowing is half the battle.”

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://www.identity-theft-information.info/  A website that specializes in providing information on <a href="http://www.identity-theft-information.info/">identity theft</a> that you can research on the internet. Please Visit http://www.identity-theft-information.info/ now!