During the course of the day, you can write a check at the grocery store, load up on concert tickets, submit your tax returns, rent a car, and apply for a new credit card. You probably don’t think twice when you’re doing these kinds of activities. An identity thief is always watching.

Identity theft is a serious crime and is currently the largest crime exemption in history. People whose identity is stolen can end up spending months, years, and thousands of dollars trying to get their identity back. Identity theft can steal your good name and credit history. If identity theft happens to you, it could keep you from getting a new job because of your current credit report, deny you credit for home, auto, and installment loans.

How identity thieves get your information
– Theft of information and records at work
– Trick co-workers to get information.
– Hacking records
– Bribing employees who have access to confidential information.
– Steal your mail, taking bills, credit card statements, tax return information, new credit card offers and also new checks.
– Dig in your trash, commercial trash cans, and public trash facilities. This is also known as dumpster diving.
– Obtain a copy of your credit report by abusing your employers’ authorized access, or by posing as someone like a landlord or employer who may have access to your credit reports.
– They may capture your credit card numbers or PIN numbers by storing this information on a data storage device when you swipe your card. This is also known as skimming.
– They can steal your bag or wallet.
– They can complete an address change to divert their mail to another location.
– They can steal your information that they find in your own home.
– They can steal your information by posing as your bank or some institution with which you do business.

How identity thieves use your personal information
– They can give your name during an arrest and if you don’t show up for your court date, it goes on your file.
– They could file fraudulent tax returns in your name
– They could get a job under your name.
– They could get a car loan in your name
– They could obtain a mortgage loan in your name
– They can open new credit cards in your name and allow them to go into default, which will affect your credit report.
– They may establish utility bills in their name
– They can file bankruptcy in your name for the charges that have increased to your name.

There are some great preventative measures to avoid identity theft. Here are some good ones.

– Get your credit report at least every 3 months. It is worth paying to avoid this hassle.
– Sign up for credit monitoring to receive alerts when someone applies for credit in your name.
– Shred all mail.
– Get a PO box and don’t put anything in an unsecured mailbox.
– Keep credit cards, social security cards, and any other personal items you don’t use in a safe.