The only information a criminal needs to commit crimes using your personal identity are your full name, social security number and date of birth. The question becomes, how does a thief get information about you; the following overview of an October 2003 Consumer Report article provides the answer.

1. Stealing Company Data: Many companies have your personal information as a result of you opening accounts with them. Examples are credit card companies, mortgage companies, retail businesses, etc. In many cases, the databases that include your personal information at these companies is poorly protected.



2. Pretexting: This occurs when under false pretense a telemarketer, email spammer, clerk or sales person lures you into revealing personal information.



3. Dumpster Diving: Often criminals sift through your trash, locally or at a waste site, looking for documentation that has your personal information on it.



4. Mail Theft: Mail is stolen from an unlocked mail box that has your personal information or bank checks.



5. Account Takeover: Criminals use stolen or fake identification to take over existing credit card or bank accounts by redirecting or forwarding account statements to new addresses.



6. Skimming: Criminals use hand-held devices, that can be purchased easily, to swipe your credit card through, this picks up your personal information located on the credit card magnetic strip.



7. Raiding Your Computer: Criminals gain access to your computer through the internet (when not protected by firewall software) or they can download files located on old discarded computers.