The Basics of Identity Theft

1. What Is Identity Theft
2. Money, and More
3. Online Pitfalls
4. Other Scams

What Is Identity Theft

Most people think of credit cards and bank accounts when they think of identity theft. It's important to understand the wider range of areas you can become a victim, if you want to protect yourself.

• The 7 Types of Identity Theft
• What Is Identity Theft?
• Common Identity Theft Scams
• How it Happens
• Who Commits Identity Theft

Money, and More

The most important thing to understand about identity theft is that there's more at risk than your finances. Here we explore the various "types" of identity theft, and how they can impact your life.

• Financial Identity Theft
• Medical Identity Theft
• Criminal Identity Theft
• Social Security Identity Theft

• Business Identity Theft
• Insurance Identity Theft
• Digital Identity Theft

Online Pitfalls

Experts say without virus protection a computer on the internet will be infected within 14 minutes. Understanding some of the risks when you're online will help you safeguard yourself and your family when you surf the web.

• E-Commerce Security
• Web Page "Spoofing"
• Spyware
• Spear Phishing

Other Scams

Sometimes a scam is used to obtain identifying information from the victim. This information is worth the most to an identity thief, since it's reliably accurate information.

• Employment Scams
• IDTheft and Mortgage Scams
• Avoiding Mortgage Scams