How You Can Stop Identity Theft from Happening to You!

What is identity theft and how can it affect you? Identity theft is simply someone who is pretending to be you and using your personal information to get money or things in your name. They can be using your name to get accounts or credit cards, your personal information to buy things over the internet or even using your name and their address to get a new drivers license or social security card.

Identity theft is a large problem in the United States and has been on the rise over the last few years due in large part to the internet. A study completed in July of 2003 co - written by Dr. Dale Pletcher of California State University says that approximately 7 million people were the victims of identity theft in the prior 12 months. The study also found that the incidence of victimization rose by 80% from 2002 to 2003.

With statistics like this you should worry and be afraid of this crime. But along with some good healthy worry and fear you can arm yourself with the tools to combat identity theft. Most of the tools you need are not ones you buy or cost much. They are knowledge and some good common sense. First you need to look at what your situation is and what you are doing that is a risk for thieves to be able to steal your identity. The next thing you need to do is put in place the practices and some important items to stop the thieves from being able to steal your identity.

The first part of this is to know what the thieves are looking for; your personal information. Your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account numbers, passwords and usernames. With this type of information they can start new accounts in your name and start using them to get money for themselves. That is what identity theft is all about, getting money from you. If it's a small amount fine , but the real haul is when they can it for some time and get thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.