How Does Identity Theft Occur And What Is The Best Defense Against It?

YOU are the best defense against identity theft.

So just how does identity theft occur? Despite all the media attention surrounding online or internet identity theft, hackers and online criminals trying to steal your identity account for only a small percentage, around 10%, of actual identity theft cases.

The majority of identity theft occurs in the real, everyday world. It is accomplished through our everyday habits. It is committed by other people we interact with as we go about our daily lives. It is done through poor business practices. And of course, it is achieved by the every day criminal.

Unlike your more common thievery where you know right away something is missing or has been stolen, identity theft can happen without your knowledge for days, weeks or even months. You find out when your checking account suddenly reports a zero balance or when you get turned down for a loan or credit card. But by then you are out all your cash or your credit report is ruined.

So what does the question 'how does identity theft occur' have to do with you? Click this link to see how you and your habits may contribute to heightening the chance of you becoming an identity theft victim. You'll also learn some ways to develop better habits.

While your habits are linked to your safety and correlate highly with your chances of becoming an identity theft victim, how identity theft occurs does involve others - others you know. You may be surprised to learn that people you know, work with or live with can be identity thieves. You may be shocked to see who they are, but please relax, there are some easy things you can do to lessen your exposure.

Visit this page which outlines how the companies and employers that you do business with or work for pose your greatest risk. How does identity theft occur in this arena? Careless business practices and lax security contribute to increased chances of you becoming a victim. While your control here is limited, there are things you can do to minimize the impact this has on you.

The question 'how does identity theft occur' is usually answered this way, 'by criminals' of course! This is the threat that gets the most attention. The attention is warranted however, because of the explosive growth of the crime which is attributed to the fact that identity theft criminals rarely get caught. This is because they operate globally and are becoming more sophisticated and organized. Click here to discover some of the techniques criminals use to target you.

Leave HOW DOES IDENTITY THEFT OCCUR and go to HOME page