(ID) Theft

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Identity (ID) theft is a dangerous crime where a thief steals your personal information, such as your full name, address, credit card, bank account numbers or social security number to spend money, get credit or to use the identity for their own gain. Identity thieves can use your personal information for a long list of crimes. They can subscribe to magazines, buy things, rent an apartment, enter or exit a country illegally and a lot more. The crimes may seem small, but the effects can be really annoying. Anything related to your personal information can be affected. It is thought that in the U.S., there are almost ten million people who have their identity stolen each year.
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There are many ways they can do that. Here are a few of them:
Pickpocketing: Someone steals your wallet. They get your account numbers, credit cards, birth date, social security number, etc.
Dumpster diving: Someone goes through your garbage for information like your bank account number.
Change of address: Someone changes your billing address by filling in ‘a change of address form’ so that they can get your mail to obtain your financial information.
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Many types of identity theft can be prevented. Here are some suggestions: • Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your computer. • Destroy papers with personal information before you throw them away. • Don’t give any personal information to someone who calls you or emails you. • Don’t use a predictable password like your birthday or 012345. Use passwords that are not easy to guess.
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Immediately contact the police and the banks, or anyone else who has your financial and personal information.