Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.
This may sound complicated because you might ask on how can someone steal your identity.
But based on the number of reported crimes of identity theft, it is not very complicated for their part and there are several ways on how to steal your identity.
Your name, date of birth and home address are just some of the things that they need.
They can easily get it by asking it to you personally so better be careful in answering strangers and other people whom you don't trust.
Phone numbers, Driver's license number, credit card number and your social security number are the other information that the thieves can use.
This information, compared to the first batch, is not that easy to get but it is still possible for them to acquire.
Your ATM and calling cards can also be the target of those thieves, as well as your credit reports and mortgage details so do not leave them in a unsecured place and not trustworthy hands.
It doesn't mean that identity theft only occurs where you are because the places you've been and the places where your identifying information are stored can be the places to start the crime.
Identity thieves can get the important information that they need from the companies and agencies you've been involved.
They can personally steal those from there or they can ask somebody who is working there to get it for them.
Hospitals and banks are not even safe for identity thieves and even the government agencies.
You house and neighborhood are also possible to be the places where to start the crime.
Dumpster driving is the most common way to get information within your vicinity.
We say that we should recycle, and that's what those identity thieves are doing.
By looking at the receipts, documents and reports that you've already thrown in your garbage, they can get what they want and re-use it against you.
Moreover, mail theft, retail theft and purse theft are also the things to be prevented.
Once they got the information they needed, they can use your credit cards which will be charged to you and open new credit accounts.
They can also use your personal data for employment purposes and to get several services and benefits such as in social security and in medical.
They can even apply for auto, mortgage and student loans.
And take note, all of these will be charged under name.
Everything can be used by against you and everywhere can be a dangerous place.
So you have to take care of whatever your things are and we have to secure ourselves and things wherever we are.
There may be still be room for errors but of course you should not stay there for a long period of time.
You have to go out of that room and enter to the right room where you and your identity is safe from the identity thieves.