Skilled identity thieves use a variety of ways to gain access to your personal information. For example, they may get information from businesses or other institutions by stealing it while they’re on the job; bribing an employee who has access to confidential records; hacking these records or conning information out of unsuspecting employees. Or:
- They may steal your wallet or purse.
- They may steal your information through a variety of “scams”.
- They may steal your information by “skimming” your credit card information without your knowledge.
- They may rummage through the trash by a practice known as “dumpster diving”.
- They may steal personal information from your home.
- They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, new checks and tax information.