As I mentioned in my previous posts ,many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. As my lecturer ,Dr. Bahama once told in class ,In public places, for example, criminals may engage in "shoulder surfing" watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number.
Even the area near your home or office may not be secure. Some criminals engage in "dumpster diving" going through your garbage cans to obtain copies of your checks, credit card or bank statements.These types of records make it easier for criminals to get control over accounts in your name and assume your identity.
Also, if your mail is delivered to a place where others have ready access to it, criminals may simply intercept and redirect your mail to another location.
With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual's identity to conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name. If the criminal takes steps to ensure that bills for the falsely obtained credit cards, or bank statements showing the unauthorized withdrawals, are sent to an address other than the victim's, the victim may not become aware of what is happing until the criminal has already inflicted substantial damage on the victim's assets, credit, and reputation.
so once again I aware you to be much more careful about your personal information.
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