How Does ID Theft Happen?

ID theft is a crime that occurs when someone’s identifying information is stolen. The criminal will

use the personal identifying information of the victim for some kind of personal financial gain. For

instance, the thief could use the victim’s information to get credit and spend money that won’t get

paid back, or to use services without having to pay for them such as medical services. The theft

of your identity is a serious crime and it could happen to anyone, just about anywhere.

ID Theft on the Internet

The Internet has become a virtual playground for identity thieves, and criminals who are hoping

to get hold of victims' private information have found that the Internet has proved to be an

invaluable tool. Internet identity thieves use many different tricks to steal personal data online.

These criminals can hack into databases or can log onto people’s personal networks to get

information. Criminals can set up fake sites to solicit identifying information, install viruses and

trackers on people’s computers and try to trick people into relinquishing their passwords as well

as other details via emails. The tools online for identity thieves are almost endless and people who

use the Internet should be careful in regards to what websites they use to share information, and

about what details they offer out to those they don’t know or trust.

Other Identity Theft Risks

You may believe that if you don't use the Internet, you're protected from identity theft. Sadly, this

is simply not true. Anyone can become an identity theft victim, even though the Internet may

increase your chances somewhat. You could end up being the victim of identity theft if someone

else obtains your information from discarded mail or papers that have your information on them. If

you swipe your credit card in a store or use an ATM that's been tampered with, someone could

steal your identity. The potential risks are everywhere in an increasingly digital age and it is very

hard to be 100 percent sure you are preventing ID theft all the time. Although you can shred mail

and attempt to be careful about where you use your cards, there will always be risks.

Protecting Yourself from ID Theft

Protecting yourself from all possible sources of ID theft is very tough. One option you have is to

use tools such as IDENTITY GUARD® to alert you when certain suspicious events occur. When

you get an alert, you can find out if your personal data has been compromised and taking action

immediately to correct the problem. Come to http/www.identityguard.com to start your protection

right now!