Identity theft occurs when someone uses an individual's personal identifying information like name, social security number, bank account or credit card number, without that person's permission to commit any fraud or other crime.
Identity theft can be categorized into the following types:
• Financial identity theft: making bank transactions or purchases with the victim's private information.
• Criminal identity theft: committing crimes under the victim's identity
• Medical identity theft: receiving medical benefit using the victim's name
• Identity cloning: assuming the victim's identity in everyday life
Dumpster diving, skimming, phishing, etc, are some of the methods used by an identity thief.
Awareness is an effective weapon against many forms of identity theft. Some of the identity theft tips which should be followed are:
• Social security number and bank account numbers should not be revealed in any type of medium
• Personal information should not be shared with anybody
• Protecting password and username while shopping online. Encrypted passwords should be used.
• Proper antivirus software and firewall should be set up in PCs
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