How can a criminal steal my personal identity?

An identity thief needs only a few strategic bits of information — your Social Security number, your birth date, perhaps your address and phone number — to commit fraud. With this and a fake driver's license (with the criminal's picture where yours should be), the thief can often get instant credit in your name. The criminal may provide his or her own address, claiming to have moved, and thus keep you in the dark. The more accounts the criminals are able to open, the more "evidence" they have that your identity belongs to them.

What identity thieves want most

Your Social Security number is the key to cloning your identity.

Your bank accounts

Reduce paper transactions

Mail and marketing lists

Trash and shredding of personal information

Your personal and business checks

Your wallet or purse

Credit, debit, and ATM cards

Credit reports and credit files

Shopping and application forms

Web sites and email

Computers and networks

Passwords and PINs