How is Identity Theft Accomplished - 6 Ways Identity Thieves Commit Fraud

How is identity theft accomplished?

The simple answer to this question is that the way identity theft is accomplished is that an identity thief obtains sufficient information about you to be able to use your identity as his/her own. Use of a stolen identity is normally related to financial transactions where the thief benefits and you are faced with the debt.

Stolen information

The amount of information needed to accomplish identity theft can be amazingly small, and the ease with which identity thieves achieve their object can be frightening. The key to preventing having your identity stolen and used is to be aware of how identity theft is accomplished and to take action to deter the identity thieves.

To arm yourself with information, you should ask yourself how identity theft is accomplished in each of these 6 ways identity theft can be carried out:

Skimming fraud

To accomplish identity theft through skimming fraud, the identity thief obtains details of your credit card. This is done by using a small device to electronically copy the card details or by simply writing down the card details (including the security number). To avoid skimming fraud, make sure your credit card always remains in sight when you are using it to pay for things.

Intercepting mail

If you move house, make sure you notify everyone of your change of address. To be safe, you should have your mail redirected by the Post Office for at least the first six months. Even junk mail can be used in identity fraud, and you won't necessarily know whether the new occupants of your former address are honest citizens or identity thieves.

Dumpster diving

People make a living out of sifting through trash to find discarded documents containing private information. Make sure you shred every personal document you throw away. With an old bank statement and a utility bill, an identity fraudster is well on the way to obtaining credit in your name.

Phishing/

Phishing emails can be very effective for identity thieves. It is easy to be taken in by a phishing email because they often look completely genuine. The way phishing works is that an email purporting to be from your bank, credit card company etc, asks you to click on the link in the email and log into your account to check or update some detail. If you click the link it takes you to a bogus website (again looking 100% legitimate) when you log in, everything you type will be recorded and downloaded by the fraudsters.

Theft of documents

Never leave sensitive documents where they can fall into the wrong hands. If other people (such as cleaners and even relatives) have access to your home in your absence, make sure all your personal papers are under lock and key Never leave documents in an unattended vehicle and make sure you empty all pockets before taking clothing to the dry cleaners; even an old credit card receipt is valuable to identity thieves.

Dishonest employees

Occasionally a trusted company will be the source of leaked private information. Sometimes this is accidental and can be caused by a glitch in a computer security system. Sometimes a member of staff will sell clients' information to identity thieves.

You can safeguard yourself and your family by asking how is identity theft accomplished and how can it be prevented. Visit www.eversafe.info to find the answers to these questions.