Identity theft is a modern day crime that is spreading like wildfire. To understand why, let’s look at the brief but volatile history of identity theft.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US alone. The fact that more and more people are reporting cases of identity theft and how they have become victims can attest to conclusion made by that department.

In the year 2002, 10 million people became victims of this crime. And an estimated 27.3 million Americans have been reported to be victims of the different forms of identity theft during the past 5 years.

These numbers are enough to make you consider identity theft as a serious crime that is getting more and more rampant everyday. Ever since this kind of crime had been noted in the early 1970s, counteractions are being done. But however extreme are measure are, there is really no getting through the minds of these thieves.

There are basically two forms of identity theft.

The first and most common is when someone uses your credit card information. Your information has been gotten if it was lost or stolen. It can also be because of careless handling by an employee of a company where you used the credit card to make a purchase.

The second and more dangerous form of identity theft is when someone steals your identity, and opens up credit card accounts, or cell phone accounts in your name. They can also use your social security number when getting a job or your drivers license to get a duplicate copy.

The advancing technology of today does not help any. Communications tools over the Internet are allowing criminals to think up new schemes and strategies. Besides that, identity theft can be planned and executed more easily online.

All these thieves have to do is pay a fee to an information broker to get an individual’s Social Security number. Online databases also have in them address information, while an individual’s mother’s maiden name can be found in obituaries or other public documents. Obviously, bills are sent to a different address so they will not get to you and you will start panicking.

Understanding and having enough knowledge about identity theft can be your prevention measure. Be alert and aware so you will not be among those who have suffered the consequences of this crime.

John Fitzgerald is a staff writer for http://www.preventingidentitytheftresource.com. For additional information on identity theft visit http://www.preventingidentitytheftresource.com/Articles/identity_theft.php

PersonReport.com is a company that provides comprehensive online records searches in many categories. We have been dedicated for years to systematically gather more databases, sources and data center links to provide our members with the highest possible level of investigation services. Practically anything except for the very sensitive personal information such as financial and credit card data, including passwords and full account numbers, can be found on the internet. Other than that you might be able to uncover a lot of data about mostly anyone.

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Identity thieves can use your personal information to take over your Savings or Checking accounts or open new ones and these damages do not have limits. They may even use your good name to get a job, take out a car loan, or rent an apartment. Here is how to protect yourself and your family.

First things first, let us define what Identity Theft is. Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses your personal information to steal your identity. They will use your identity to apply for credit and open bank accounts. They take your money and do not pay the bills they rack up in your good name. They bounce checks in your name. They ruin your credit and they are laughing all the way to the bank while you sit dumbfounded, wondering how it could have happened. Like most of us, you thought you were protected by the banks and credit card companies you trusted to keep your information safe.

Sorry to inform you but you are the first line of defense. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself.

Do not give out personal information, especially your Social Security number or bank account numbers, unless you have initiated the contact. This seems obvious but thieves will pose as representatives of legitimate companies with which you do business and request you "verify personal information." In "verifying" it, you are actually giving it to the caller. Instead, tell the caller you’re busy and will have to call them back, then ask for a name and contact phone number.

Usually, when you ask the scammer for a call back number they will make excuses as to why you cannot call them back or they will just hang up. Even if they give you a phone number, do not use it to call them back. Instead, use your billing statements or a phone book to get the number of the business, call and verify the caller and his or her purpose for contacting you.

There are several types of identity theft you need to protect against.

Account takeover identity theft: This refers to the type of situation where an imposter uses the stolen personal information to gain access to your existing accounts. Often the identity thief will use the stolen identity to acquire even more credit products by changing your address so that you never see the credit card bills that the thief runs up.

True name identity theft: This means that the thief uses personal information to open new accounts. The thief might open a new credit card account, establish cellular phone service, or open a new checking account in order to obtain blank checks. The Internet has made it easier for an identity thief to use the information they’ve stolen because transactions can be made without any real verification of someone’s identity. All a thief really needs today is a series of correct numbers to complete the crime.

Criminal identity theft: The thief uses your personal information to assume your identity. The thief gives your name and presents counterfeit ID to law enforcement when questioned or arrested for a crime. In a worst-case scenario, you could be prosecuted for the actions of the thief who has stolen your identity.

Internet identity theft: Do not give personal information to websites that are not using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to transfer the information. Secure sites are noted by the the "s" added to the usual http, preceding the website address. It will look like this: https. These sites will encrypt all information between your computer and the site so it is nearly impossibleto steal it. Legitimate sites will also have a Privacy Policy posted that states how your personal information will be used. If the site states that they might share your information with unnamed "third parties," you have no guarantee that the "third parties" will protect your information from identity theft.

Here are some other tips:

Use a "confetti" shredder for all paper and plastic that displays your personal information. This includes statements, credit card solicitations, junk mail that has your name and address, and expired cards of all kinds, including not only credit cards but also insurance cards, medical cards and even library cards. If you receive magazine subscriptions, remove the address pages for the shredder before throwing the magazines out. There should be nothing in your trash that identifies you that is not shredded.

Although these and other precautions can help reduce the risk of identity theft, vigilance can also go a long way towards protecting yourself. Watch your monthly billing and bank statements. Missing statements can be a sign that someone has changed your billing address without your knowledge or has stolen your mail right from the mail box. Even junk mail can be telling. If you suddenly get multiple catalogs or brochures for products you have never purchased, this could be a sign that someone else is using your name to buy from those merchants.

Experts also recommend reviewing your credit report regularly. In the United States, law allows each person one free copy yearly from each credit agency: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You can obtain all three free credit reports at once, or get one free copy every four months by rotating agencies. This is the only FTC-approved website for obtaining free credit reports, and it has no strings attached. These are available online by searching "free credit reports" and finding the government approved website to apply.

Be aware of the double-dip scam as well. By applying for welfare or other forms of social assistance the identity thief can develop a way of getting food and some of the bills covered under assistance while maintaining a steady job in their real name. This type of identity theft can lead to criminal charges being brought against you, the victim, by the government agency that has been defrauded, leaving the thief to continue on with his life without interruption or legal problems.

Become educated about identity theft. You can minimize your risk by managing you personal credit information wisely, cautiously and with heightened diligence and sensitivity with the right information.

Jim DeSantis is an Internet Publisher and former TV News Director who provides free ebook about identity theft. Go now to Gifts from Jim DeSantis. Click “Identity Theft” in the sidebar. No email or signup required to download this excellent free ebook.

Most of you reading this probably have no clue what is "publicly available" about you to anyone that is interested in doing some simple research. The internet holds unlimited access to what governments consider public records. Governments you ask? Yes, this means not just the United States, but also many records for Mexican and Canadian. As more countries become technologically advanced, more information will be readily available for anyone to research at will.

Currently, within the United States, anyone with internet access and a little information about you can divulge the following information about you:

• Real Estate Ownership
• Traffic Tickets
• Conviction Records
• Criminal Arrest Records
• Arrest Warrants
• Case Indexes
• Civil Court Recordings
• Professional and Business Licenses
• Motor Vehicle Records
• Registered Voter Files
• Court Files
• Property Tax Assessor Files
• Tax Liens and Judgments
• Bankruptcy Files
• And Much More

There was a time where many of these records were trade secrets of private investigators but now they can be easily uncovered through simple online searches. Our government has and continues to convert these public records into digital format for easier accessibility directly and publicly through the internet. The internet is finally allowing public records to be more public so anyone, including you, can uncover information about any person or company.

Personal information isn’t always as private as one may think. Generally speaking, your date of birth, social security number, financial, insurance, and medical information is protected by law. Companies and corporations also have similar protection. Unfortunately, research into public records can commonly reveal these items through background checks, court records, divorce records, bankruptcy files and many other sources of readily available information.

Although many people may have privacy concerns, all of these records have been made public for important reasons. For example, detailed background checks are necessary for the security of the general public and business security. You wouldn’t want someone watching your child at a local day care that has a warrant out for their arrest or has past criminal records would you? Perhaps you are a proud owner of a limousine business. It could be devastating is it is later revealed that a driver you hired has multiple DUI charges on his or her record.

Just as people do with credit reports, I would recommend that you research yourself. You may be surprised with the information that is available to anyone interested in looking into it. In the past I have seen someone lose their job because they were unaware of a charge on their record and didn’t disclose it on his hiring application. Simple mistakes like this can be prevented or corrected before they become a problem.

This article was written for our friends at US Public Records to help people understand what is openly available about you. Article written and distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link offering Free Domain Registration.