The path they travel may not be positive but their methods of operations are definitely most innovative. If we look at the way identity thieves operate to steal identities, we can detect that there is science to the techniques. Obviously a great deal of research has to go into the job. They have to study each and every victim closely and carefully before they can home in on an individual's correct name, Social Security number, credit card number and other financial account information. For them these information gained through identity theft is most valuable to the success of their operations.

Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

• Dumpster diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.

• Skimming: They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
• Fishing: (known otherwise as "Phishing") They pretend to be financial institutions or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
• Changing your address: They divert your mailing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
• Old fashion stealing: They steal wallets and purses; mail including bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers and new checks or tax information. They do this by stealing personal records or bribing employees who have access.
• Pretexting: They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions , telephone companies and other sources to get what they want.

In whatever way you look at it and whatever precautionary measures are taken to outfox the thieves, it must always be remembered that we are not dealing with petty thieves that steal underpants to go swimming but professionals who have made stealing their carrier and as such are always prepared for the worst. These identity thieves are here to stay. These thieves are born with a mindset poised for success in their jobs. Total eradication is almost impossible as they are very meticulous in their jobs.

Their methods of execution could have made them excellent doctors, engineers, accountants or great politicians if they had chosen those fields of endeavor but unfortunately talents have gone to waste just because they have chosen to be identity thieves. Anyway never underrate them.

Accept the phenomena of identity theft as real and existent and be more careful with accounts. Check them from time to time to ensure that records are entered correctly and your bills are charged exactly according to your own spending. Any incorrect entry or over claimed bills statement should immediately be reported to the billing authorities and immediately settled. If you keep on checking and monitoring your bills and accounts constantly, you will not be easy prey for identity thieves. Maybe it will take extra effort on your part but it is really worth the time taken and avoid a lot of inconveniences and dollars in the long run.

Technologies advance and develop in all fields with new modus operandi moving in parallel. This applies in the realm of the underworld also. Thieves are and have never rested on the laurels of past successful stealing techniques and they are just as busy researching new ways on how to strip people of their money and wealth. This has given rise to the new phenomena called identity theft. Identity theft occur when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. It is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year, causing loss and dismay.

The subtle ways the identity thieves operate normally go unnoticed and undetected until some party shows up to collect money dues from the individual whose identity has been stolen and fraudulently misused. The crime may take many forms in a way that strikes the imagination of individual thieves. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card or establish a telephone account in your name and as such you will ultimately be contacted by a debt collector with a credit report or a credit card statement you never make.

Identity theft is definitely serious. When the amount involved is small, identity theft victims may be able to resolve the problem quickly but in many cases where the damage is considerable, it takes the individual hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. There are cases of victims losing out on job opportunities or denied of loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on credit reports. There are also cases where they may be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

The phenomena of identity theft has become very messy today and has been capitalized by further fraud when individuals appear as victims of the act just to avoid or delay settling debts that they really incur but are not in a position to settle. The idea is just to gain some breathing space though the risks are quite not that worth it. However, in this fast paced world of the rat race, locusts have also decided to join the fun. This has made investigation and identifying the fraud more challenging. Though ultimately the matter is settled and solved, it is not as easy as A, B, C. especially when it is run by a well organized syndicate that is ready to make things more complicated and is already prepared with stereotyped answers to weave in and out of questions like a boxer weaving out of a flurry of punches. Though the debts may finally be settled, the time taken to do it is sometimes not worth the amount of money recovered.

In whatever way you look at it and whatever precautionary measures are taken to outfox the thieves, it must be remembered that we are dealing with petty thieves but professionals who have made stealing their specialty. Getting rid of them will take some real doing and time because like bacteria that mutate to fight new drugs, these identity thieves also devised the methods of rendering precautionary measures ineffective every time.

Stolen identity is like gold to identity thieves. The idea of stealing identity surely arises from the many uses that can be made with stolen identity. Thieves use them in a number of ways that bring in easy money to them or that will save them money. That is then the purpose of stealing whatever it may be. Let us trace what they do with identity theft item by item.

Credit Card: They may open a credit card account in your name. When they want to purchase anything, they will use the credit card to pay for the bills. This delinquent account will appear on your credit report. To avoid you finding out, they may change the billing address on your credit card so that you no longer receive bills. Your charges will accumulate without you knowing it because your bills are now being sent to a wrong address. It may be sometime before you realize that there is an identity theft when the credit card company fails to receive payment and make a thorough check and ultimately find out you are residing at a different address. They will bill you and what is worse may take action against you by blacklisting your account.

Phone and Utilities Fraud:

Thieves may open a new phone or wireless account in your name or run up charges on your existing account. They may also use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating or cable TV. This way they enjoy the utilities and you pay the bills.

Bank/Finance Fraud

Though banking and finance fraud is not that easy to carry out, yet these professionals have really thought out loopholes in security and how to exploit them. As the saying goes, when there is a necessity, there is always a way out.. Thieves may create counterfeit checks using your name and account number. They may open a bank account in your name and write bad check. Another way of doing it is that they may clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals in your name, draining your accounts. Finally, though not that simple, they may make out a loan in your name. To facilitate this they may have an accomplice among bank employees and make it an inside job. It would run smoothly especially when the amount of loan taken out is big and the accomplice also gets a fat share.

Government Documents Fraud:

Through identity theft thieves may get a driver's license or official ID card issued in your name but with their picture. They may then use your name and Social Security number to get government benefits. They may also file fraudulent tax returns using your information.

Other Fraud:

Thieves may be able to get a job using your Social Security number. They may rent a house or get medical services using your name. During an arrest, they may give your personal information to police and when they don't show up for their court date, a warrant of arrest will be issued in your name.

The cold hard reality is this is a national menance and and it happens daily.