How Does Identity Theft Happen?

The only thing an identity thief needs is your Social Security Number, your birth date or, sometimes, identifying information as basic as your address, driver’s license number and phone number.

• Purses/wallets
• Personal information kept in your car (especially your glove box)
• Receipts tossed in the trash
• Overhearing conversations you have in public
• Information stolen from your mailbox
• Diverting your mail to another location by filling out a “change of address form”
• Looking over your shoulder when you use your credit cards or the ATM

• "Phishing" or "pfarming" for information via e-mail
• "Pretexting" phone calls where the caller needs you to give information over the phone
• Computer hacking

• Physician offices
• Attorney or accountant offices
• Health insurance carriers
• Stores where you shop or apply for credit cards
• Restaurants