Many victims of identity theft speak about how shocking the incident was to them, the lasting ramifications on their good names and the fact that they simply didn’t see it coming. This is not a strange reaction. Most people are fairly trusting of the people and general commercial environment around them. This is not a bad thing. What would life be like if we mistrusted every stranger we meet or every document we put our name on. Unfortunately though, criminals look just like everybody else. A recent statistic has shown that up to 43% of victims believed that their identities were stolen by people they knew. This shocking statistic proves two facts. 1. It could definitely happen to you and 2. There is a good chance, in the unfortunate event of it happening, that it will be somebody you already know. The primary reason for this disconnect between people not seeing it coming and it happening all the time is the way human beings are hard wired. We are social creatures. Human beings are “pack animals” who are dependant on one another for communication, security and loads of other benefits. Living in modern society has certainly not minimised this fact. Although you do not know every single person living in your street by name, you greet them because you recognise their faces, see them daily and observe them in their everyday lives. Somewhere in the back of your mind you know, if there’s an emergency, you could at least depend on them to call the police, if not come to your aid. You know this because you feel the same unconscious obligation to do the same if the situations were reversed. These are important instincts that are necessary to co-exist with other human beings. Unfortunately, we have to face the facts that if you know 300 people, at least 5 of them have been or are in the process of criminal activities. With rising identity theft statistics, at least two of those may be identity thieves and if you make regular contact with them the risk becomes immanent.

Total identity protection is impossible. Once your social security number and contact details have been inputted into a bank computer for example, you have no control over its safety from that point on. There are ways however of minimising the risk to you and your family. If you cultivate good security habits, your identity will be safer and it needn’t affect your attitude towards the people around you. There are various different types of identity theft. Mostly, it is the use of a stolen name and social security number to obtain credit, goods or services. By having a good handle on your credit cards and bank balances and checking them at least once a week, you will immediately detect if something strange is going on. Online fraud is covered extensively on all banking and government websites. Take the time to familiarise yourself with good security practices to avoid being a victim of phishing. Also, avoid putting any personal data on open, social networking sites such as Facebook or Myspace. Finally, pay careful attention to the paperwork that you throw into your rubbish bin. Bank and utility bills and statements often contain your name, address, contact information and social security number. That’s not even to mention your account details and existing balance. Information like this is gold to an identity thief, who will not be above “dumpster-diving” to obtain it. Invest in a shredder or start exploring the exiting applications of paper pulp in your home.