There is a lot of speculation as to how criminals obtain enough personal data to fraudulently get a loan on our names (among various other criminal activities). We often feel that the systems in place, such as signatures, passwords, pin codes and security clearance codes should protect us from these and similar criminal activities. We often underestimate the resourcefulness of criminals, assuming that they are not as bright as we are. This is a grave mistake. We forget that they spend all day thinking up new ways to breach our security, whereas we only spend a few minutes a week, maybe taking a cursory glance at the alarm system and testing it from time to time. This makes us very vulnerable and criminals count on that vulnerability.

As is often said, the best form of defense is prevention. We need to know the facts, arm ourselves from possible breeches. If people can start forming naturally cautious habits, then there needn’t even be a mentality of paranoia. The best way to become less vulnerable is to start by knowing the facts. How do criminals obtain enough information about us to steal our identities?

Online:

There is no doubt that one of the major factors in obtaining information is how easy it is to get. In other words, the easier it is to find the info, the more likely it will be found by the wrong people. Social networking sites, personal websites and online forms are no place to post too much information. Never put your home address, family information, personal telephone details or even work details online. This is the easiest way for criminals to steal identifiable information of individuals. They needn’t do much to obtain it. Google your own name and see what comes up.

Real Life:

There is a practice that is so common it has its own term. This is known as “dumpster diving.” It describes the rather unpleasant process of going through somebody’s trash to obtain personal information. This often comes in the form of bank or account statements, credit card updates, utility bills etc. Once again, if it is easy to find, criminals are more likely to find it. Shredding machines have become quite common and can be purchased at the same cost as a microwave at most large retail stores. If there is no other alternative, burn or pulp the paper so that it is illegible. Tearing it up is not always the most reliable way, but is a deterrent.

There are many additional ways including “phishing” which your bank will almost certainly have warned you against and the all too common eavesdropping while you are in the process of concluding a transaction in public. The watchwords are caution. If you are imparting sensitive information in a public place, rather write it down. Keep personal information online to an absolute minimum (create a separate e-mail address for “online activities”).

The more we understand the mindsets of criminals, the better prepared we are to protect ourselves. Always remember that the more difficult your information is to obtain, the less likely it’ll be abused.