Below are some of the ways that thieves gather personal information about someone to eventually steal their identity.
Theft
Stealing wallets, purses, mail, or using other sources to gather personal information
Dumpster Diving
Sifting through garbage to find bills, financial records or other documents containing personal information
Fraudulent change of address
Completing a “change of address” form to divert mail to a fraudster’s address
Pharming
Creating fraudulent websites that look legitimate in order to collect personal information
Phishing
Gathering personal information from forms that are linked from emails or pop-ups
Skimming
Electronic devices inserted in ATM and card processing machines to steal card information
Vishing
Voice Phishing is the use of an email or automated phone call delivering a false communication to trick recipients into returning the message by phone, text or online and giving up personal information.