| There are a variety of methods that thieves use | | | | the thieves can transfer funds electronically out |
| to steal identity details: | | | | of your account, usually through a chain of |
| - Physical theft, especially of your purse or wallet, | | | | accounts to some obscure foreign location from |
| or of your mail, is a common means of identity | | | | which the cash is withdrawn. Banks today go to |
| theft. A break-in to your home or a "stair dancer" | | | | great lengths to warn they never ask for your |
| intruding into your office workplace, are other | | | | account access details by email or telephone, but |
| opportunities. Going through your trash can for | | | | some people still get caught out by these scams. |
| identity information is another. | | | | - Secure transaction web sites run by reputable |
| - A variation on stealing your mail that some | | | | companies are usually quite safe but mail, email |
| thieves use, is simply to divert it. They can do | | | | and telephones offer interception opportunities for |
| this by arranging with the post office for your | | | | thieves. You should not assume they are always |
| mail to be redirected, or by simply writing to | | | | private, especially mobile telephone (or cordless) |
| banks, credit card companies or other financial | | | | conversations, which can be intercepted. |
| institutions, and telling them that you have moved. | | | | - Another computer-based method of identity |
| - You should also take care whenever your | | | | theft, one that even alert people can fall victim |
| identity details are exchanged, as these situations | | | | to, is keystroke logging software loaded into their |
| may also offer opportunities for the unscrupulous. | | | | PCs. Your bank account user name and password |
| Even people that you think of as friends can | | | | are popular targets for these criminals. This |
| sometimes put you at risk of identity theft. | | | | information is sent to them through the internet |
| Conmen are usually very likeable people - it is a | | | | from your computer without your knowledge. |
| well-honed vocational skill. Additionally, sometimes | | | | Again, a quick transfer of your money through a |
| conmen may work through an unwitting friend or | | | | chain of international accounts can follow and it is |
| relative of yours, one whom you trust absolutely. | | | | gone forever. Computer spyware and viruses are |
| A strict "need to know" policy for important | | | | a major source of identity theft. Your defense is |
| identity information will therefore greatly reduce | | | | to maintain high levels of computer security, and |
| your risk. | | | | to regularly scan your computer to look for such |
| - Using your credit card has become much safer | | | | programs. |
| in recent years, and improvements will no doubt | | | | - It is also unwise to check your bank account on |
| continue. But you should never let your card out | | | | other people's computers. You never can tell what |
| of your sight when shopping or at restaurants. | | | | spyware they may hold. The risk can be |
| - Identity thieves exploit email and telephones | | | | particularly great at cyber cafes Their shared |
| especially in clever ways to persuade or trick you | | | | computers are well-known to be more exposed |
| to give away vital data in unguarded moments. | | | | to identity thieves, who can load key stroke |
| There is now even a name for the email identity | | | | logging software into these computers if they are |
| theft scams: "phishing". The targets are often | | | | not well protected. |
| your passwords and bank account details so that | | | | |