Do you know how many people in the world are trying to be YOU?

Millions of victims
That is what identity theft is. Millions are victims of fraudulent transactions made in their name without their permission or knowledge. The fact that it happens with very slight chances of any type of warning for the victim until considerable damage is done to his/her financial stability, good name or credit worthiness causes much concern.

Impersonation is used for a range of activities
An impersonation is used for a range of insidious activities. Beginning from bank and finance frauds like credit card and utility frauds it spreads to the international arena of illegal immigration, terrorism, espionage and blackmail. Sometimes impersonation is used through the media to earn praise and attention for things others have done.

Save your good name
Government and medical benefits are claimed through forged or stolen documents. Apprehended criminals get away giving the credentials of unsuspecting people causing havoc in their lives making the effort to retrieve their good name and declaring their innocence a nightmare costing them much time and money.

Protect personal information
Easy accessibility to your personal information exposes you to identity theft. Without your knowledge, your mail is pilfered and an unknown character shares your bank account numbers. Dumpster diving reveals confidential information left carelessly in letters by an unsuspecting person. Breaking into a vehicle or house or pick pocketing taking away identity information is common. Discreet eavesdropping on public transactions or skimming a passport or smart card is often used.

Technology an open invitation
Indiscriminate use of modern technology is an open invitation to accessing personal information through hacking and other devices. Information stored in computers , data bases, social networks easily displayed websites with Social Security Numbers or Credit card numbers are other avenues of information.

We give information in unwitting conversations
Information can be drawn from the persons themselves in unwitting conversations offering employment opportunities or feigning to offer social or medical benefits. Phishing, which means impersonating trusted institutions promoting persons to reveal personal information or pretexting, using pretenses to obtain customer information from businesses are two other ways.

You are ultimately responsible for your own safety
Although countries have passed legislation to counteract identity theft and protection companies providing help to detect theft for a monthly or annual fee have come up in the US individuals need to take precautionary measures for their own safety.

The range of modes of operation for procuring personal data is so wide protection for individuals seems impossible. The basic underlying constant in assuring identity protection is vigilance. Awareness of methods of operation, ensuring up to date computer security and operating systems, setting up fraud alerts in credit files, monitoring credit reports and bank accounts regularly, shredding your confidential information before dumping and taking precautionary measures to safeguard your confidential identity documents like the Social Security Cards can help you to save yourself from being duped or tricked.

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