Preventing Identity Theft For Dummies
Chapter One
Who's Stealing What ... and
What You Can Do About It
In This Chapter
* Understanding the scope of the identity theft problem
* Knowing what information you need to guard
* Using technology to help protect your information
* Finding help against identity theft
* Fighting back if your identity is stolen
In this chapter, I explain who identity theft affects, how
it happens, and what personal information it involves.
Although the fact of identity theft is pretty unnerving, a greater
understanding of identity theft can be empowering. After you
find out what identity theft is all about and how it occurs, you
can protect your personal information from falling into the
wrong hands - and you'll know the best way to take action if
it does.
Taking a Look at the Fastest
Growing Crime
Identity theft happens when someone (the identity thief) uses
another person's personal information (such as name, Social
Security number, and date of birth) to fraudulently obtain
credit cards or loans, open a checking account, or otherwise
gain access to money or goods in the other person's name.
Identity thef ... read full excerpt from Preventing Identity Theft For Dummies ebook
