Identity Theft FAQ

How can my identity be stolen?

Someone could steal your identity very easily by:

stealing your wallet
filling out a change of address form for you and collecting your mail
snatching your unshredded pre-approved credit slips from the trash
ordering unauthorized credit reports on you by posing as a potential employer or landlord
looking over your shoulder at phones and ATMs to gather PINs (sometimes with binoculars or listening devices)
using phony telemarketing schemes to con you into giving your personal data
phishing -- that is, attempting to get you to provide your personal or financial information by responding to Internet pop ups or spam
getting personal information from you by emailing bogus job offers and requesting that you provide certain information
illegally tapping a computer at a business to which you have provided information or by which you have been granted credit (this is often done by dishonest or disgruntled employees), or
gathering sensitive information and using it as a way to extract revenge (this is usually done by a former friend, lover, roommate, or coworker -- and it's more common than most people realize).

To learn how to protect yourself against identity theft, see Nolo's article Preventing Identity Theft.