How to protect yourself

One way to reduce your risk of identity theft is learning some of the methods thieves use to steal personal information.

Getting your information without your knowledge

• Stealing bills, bank statements or brokerage summaries, new checks or pre-approved credit card offers from your mail or trash, sometimes called dumpster diving
  

• Stealing personnel and customer files at business offices, including your employer
  

• Stealing your wallet or purse, or personal documents from your home
  

• Stealing credit and debit card numbers when your card is swiped through a processing machine, a technique called skimming
  

• Peering over your shoulder at ATMs to get your PIN number

For these reasons and others, it's a good idea to store your financial paperwork in a safe place at home, and to protect your receipts and bills. You may also want to buy a shredder to destroy sensitive documents when you no longer need them.

Obtaining your information from other sources

• Filling out a change-of-address form so that they receive mail addressed to you, including credit card bills for accounts they open but have no intention of paying

• Impersonating your creditors, employers or landlord to obtain a copy of your credit report, which includes your Social Security number

• Obtaining your personal information through bogus marketing schemes by phone, mail or email, sometimes called phishing

• Using advanced technology to breach online security and steal account information

You should be very cautious about giving out your personal information unless you're certain the situation is legitimate. No legitimate financial institution will ask you to confirm your account number or give your Social Security number over the phone or online during a call or communication that you did not initiate.