More on Identity Theft

Identity thieves use your own information against you to assume your identity. An identity thief can then open bank accounts, write bad checks, acquire new credit card accounts, personal loans, cash advances, cellular phone accounts or even illegally obtain employment in your name.

They may even break the law using your name.

Who Are These Identity Thieves?

It could be anyone. Although about half of identity theft cases in America are attributed to someone who knows the victim, but don‘t assume that this is the only area that the threat of fraud attacks from. Anyone wIho has access to your personal information could descend your identity and credit history in turmoil by assuming your identity.

Why do they do it?

Illegal immigrants do it to work in foreign countries. Some people do it so they can have access to medical insurance. Some people commit identity theft to hide from their past. The most sinister are terrorists or people who have previously committed a serious crime, like sex offenders who change their identity to try and gain access to employment at schools and gain access to children.

Some are internet hackers who run their scams on stolen credit cards and bandwidth provided by unknowing users. This practise has become more and more prevalent with the popularity of wireless internet. Most people do not take precautions when they use wireless internet and it is like leaving your front door open while you sleep at night.

Who is at Risk of Identity Theft?

Everyone is. Those at greatest risk don’t dispose of, or are careless with, information like credit card numbers, bank and other accounts, birth certificates, numbers associated with income tax and driver’s licenses.

On line, the threats are ever increasing and range from issues like phishing to hidden code within social sites like Myspace and Facebook. You should be very careful about forwarding your information across the web, especially when using wireless internet.

Physorg.com Article : Second-Hand Computers Pose Identity Theft Threat

A new identity theft study conducted by leading University of Leicester criminologist, Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers - which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide - can be a potential treasure trove of personal information - putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The study urges personal and business computer users to ensure that all data is removed from their computers prior to disposing of them.

During his study, Second-Hand Computers and Identity Fraud, Professor Gill and his team purchased six computers through a mixture of second hand channels. They then conducted a forensic data analysis on each one, using a widely available software programme.

Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Worryingly, data retrieved from two of the computers contained information that could be used by an identity thief. ..

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