Identity Theft News

How ID Thieves Obtain Your Personal Information

ID thieves use your personal information to impersonate you. The information might include your credit card or bank account numbers, your social security number, your date of birth, your mother’s maiden name, your driver’s license or state ID number, your e-mail address, account passwords, and other items that can uniquely identify you.

ID Thieves:

• Steal wallets and purses containing your personal information, such as social security numbers, driver license numbers, credit and debit card information, and checking account numbers
• Steal your mail – financial statements, utility bills, medical correspondence, pre-approved credit offers, social security checks, and tax documents all contain personal information useful to ID thieves
• Submit a change-of-address form with the US Postal Service to divert your mail to another location
• Rummage through household or business trash containers.  For professional "dumpster divers," trash containers are gold mines of valuable personal information
• Fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, bank, employer, or someone else who may have a legitimate need to review your report
• Find personal information you have left in a place accessible to the public, such as a store or unlocked car
• Get hold of the personal information you share on the Internet
• Obtain your personal information from an insider – for example, a store or bank employee.

Contact our Iowa Identity Theft Lawyer Now!

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