| Do you know the 3 forms of identity theft? This | | | | to rely on the security professionals to protect |
| is an increasing problem in the United States. In | | | | your data. |
| 2003, 4 million people fell victim to the scam. This | | | | Phishing is a third way that your identity can be |
| year, 9 million will. That means the situation has | | | | stolen. In this case, a criminal can ask you to give |
| more than doubled. | | | | them sensitive data through email or over the |
| The 3 forms of identity theft are direct theft, | | | | phone. They will appear to be legitimate such as |
| hacking and phishing. | | | | your bank or credit card company. The best way |
| Direct theft can occur when a thief steals your | | | | to thwart phishers is to only give out information |
| identity from you because of your own actions. | | | | if you have initiated contact yourself. Most |
| For instance, they may lift your wallet or purse | | | | financial institutions tell you to give your |
| and take the credit card or social security card to | | | | information to them on their secure sites only and |
| establish credit in your name for themselves. Or, | | | | not over email or phone. |
| they may "dumpster dive" and steal your | | | | As you can see, these 3 forms of identity theft |
| information from the trash. | | | | make it hard to ensure that you are 100 percent |
| Hacking is another way someone can steal your | | | | protected. That is why it makes sense to engage |
| personal information and use it for their own | | | | the services of a ID theft protection service. |
| benefit. Most of the time, you have no control | | | | These companies take the responsibility to |
| over the way your information is stored in | | | | prevent theft and, if it occurs, fix it so that you |
| government and corporate computers. You have | | | | don't have to worry about this terrible crime. |