Identity Theft - Scams to Steal Your Personal Information

By: Aazdak Alisimo

Give me convenience or give me death! With our increased reliance on the convenience of the web and plastic over cash, we have opened a pandora's box in crime. In this case, Pandora is called identity theft.

In this modern digital age, we are defined by our virtual personal profile in databases. Identity theft is simply the kidnapping of this virtual profile. Once obtained, the theif then uses the profile in a variety of profitable manners.

Mention identity theft and most people think of stolen credit cards. This occurs, but is actually the end result of the theft. Credit card accounts are not the target of most criminals, social security numbers are.

The social security number is the golden egg of identity theft. Why? It can be used to do just about anything financially such as open multiple credit accounts, take loans and so on. Without it, it is practically impossible to do anything.

Another area where social security numbers are being turned into criminal profits is fairly new. Many illegal immigrants are required to show valid social security numbers to hold jobs. Guess where those numbers are coming from.

The sale of social security numbers to people who need them to hold a job causes another massive problem for the victim. Taxes. The IRS receives a report of all earnings per social security number. If you under report, you will be contacted.

Once a theif is armed with your social security number, there are a lot of ways they can go. A classic approach is to open a bank account. Why is this a problem? They write bad checks against the account until the bank closes it and looks for you.

You gotta talk with your peeps! In the case of identity theft, there is little reason to pay for it. More and more victims of this crime are finding their information is being used to fraudulently obtain and run up mobile phone service bills.

As with any crime, identity theft is not something you want to experience. Unlike other crimes, you rarely realize you are a victim until things are really bad. Theives have bills sent to addresses other than yours, so you don't know it is occuring.

Sooner or later, you will figure out that you have been a victim of identity theft. It may be when collectors call or when your ATM card doesn't work or when a credit card charge is rejected. Whatever the occasion, it will not be pleasant.

Some people discount identity theft because it is not a crime causing physical pain. Obviously,they have never had it happen to them. It can take months and even years to resolve it, so take steps to prevent it.