Despite your best efforts to manage the flow of your personal information or to
keep it to yourself, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to gain
access to your data.
Just like this person experienced.
I first was notified that someone had used my Social Security number for their
taxes in February 2004. I also found out that this person opened a checking
account, cable and utility accounts, and a cell phone account in my name.
I’m still trying to clear up everything and just received my income tax refund
after waiting four to five months. Trying to work and get all this cleared up
is very stressful.
From a consumer’s complaint to the FTC, July 9, 2004
How identity tHieves get your personal information:
• They get information from businesses or other institutions by:
* stealing records or information while they’re on the job
* bribing an employee who has access to these records
* hacking these records
* conning information out of employees
• They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements,
credit card offers, new checks, and tax information.
• They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public
trash dumps in a practice known as “dumpster diving.
• They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer’s authorized
access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employer, or someone else who
may have a legal right to access your report.
• They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information
in a data storage device in a practice known as “skimming.”
They may swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine
where you may enter or swipe your card.
• They may steal your wallet or purse.
• They may steal personal information they find in your home.
• They may steal personal information from you through email or phone by
posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with
your account. This practice is known as “phishing” online, or “pretexting”
by phone.