How2Day: Identity Theft Components

Allowing computers to remember passwords is a critical mistake consumers make. Daniel Allan/Photodisc/Getty Images
Every criminal act has distinctive components needed to make it happen. Identity theft is no exception. Stealing key personal identifiers like Social Security numbers is the first step that thieves need to get started, followed by rifling dumpsters, mailboxes and other public disposal points. Failure to heed the vulnerabilities of electronic office equipment and online technologies are another often-overlooked point for stopping identity thieves--who only need one of these components to fall in their favor.

Without the nine-digit number identifying every American, identity thieves would have a tougher time, say most experts. Accessing the number enables thieves to do any business that they want in someone else's name, such as gaining credit cards. Instead of carrying the card in a wallet, the U.S. Social Security Administration recommends memorizing the number and limiting its use to credit applications.

Dumpsters, mailboxes and other public disposal areas are a favorite target for identity thieves who look for paperwork that can be easily compromised--such as pre-approved credit applications or checks that can be altered. Shredding such documents will go a long way in protecting those details, according to advice posted on the Mariposa County, California, website. For similar reasons, consumers should never toss out paperwork with personal information at the post office.

Discarded computer hard drives are another component of identity theft. Computer users often forget that deleting files or reformatting disks does not erase the data on them. The magazine cited a survey of 158 hard drives that were bought online, or from computer shops. Of the 129 working drives, 69 had recoverable files, while 49 still contained personal information. Only 12 drives had been properly discarded.

Personal assistant devices provide an often-overlooked entryway for identity thieves. ppc image by Oleg Samoilov from Fotolia.com
With cell phones, computers and wireless technologies converging at a dizzying rate, users forget how they can benefit identity thieves, too, according to the Better Business Bureau. Using public computers to access data like bank balances is not recommended. Consumers should take extra care when using wireless networks in public locations like airports, bookstores and coffeehouses. The same rule applies to peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, which allow users to freely exchange data--a feature that also assists identity thieves, says the bureau.

Amid all the emphasis on protecting computer technology with encrypted passwords and firewalls, it's easy to overlook a more traditional electronic component. One example is the photocopier. Many models store data on hard drives that are often unencrypted, allowing identity thieves to steal the information at will. To rule out this scenario, users should buy an overwriting or encrypting component for their copier.

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