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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 complete a "change of address form" to
divert your mail to another location.
- 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.
» Introduction
» Steps to Take When Identity Theft Happens
» Chart of Action
» Tips to Protect Yourself
» File a Police Report
» What You Can Do
» AlertMe - Fight Identity Theft
» Download Identity Theft Coach
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