| With a little luck, maybe you can become the kind | | | | doctor. Information given to private organizations |
| of person that you can respect. But nobody's | | | | are supposed to be confidential, but this |
| perfect, so you'll have to come to terms with | | | | information is usually stored on computers and |
| your own flaws. You spend your whole life | | | | computers can be hacked into. |
| creating your identity. Whether it's the car you | | | | But there's also a lot of public information that can |
| drive or the clothes you wear, everything you do | | | | be accessed. The government freely allows |
| will help define your identity. Although there will be | | | | access to certain public records and these records |
| days when you wish you were somebody else, | | | | include, driver's license information, business |
| the majority of people grow to like and | | | | records, real estate records and other forms of |
| appreciate being their own unique person. | | | | data collected by government organizations. |
| Like with most things, you don't appreciate what | | | | Unfortunately, many people have to share |
| you have, until it's taken from you. And your | | | | responsibility for their stolen information. Many |
| identity is no different. Identity theft is not a new | | | | people give out person information online and they |
| crime, but with the growth of the internet, it has | | | | have no idea how their information will be used, or |
| taken on a new life. Identity theft occurs when | | | | if it will be sold. |
| someone commits a crime or harmful act, while | | | | It's impossible to keep all your information private, |
| pretending to be someone else. Identity theft | | | | but there are some things you can do to help |
| covers a wide range of activities. The most | | | | protect your interests. Don't give out your Social |
| common form of theft involves credit cards. | | | | Security number, unless it's absolutely necessary. |
| Credit cards are the most common of the | | | | Shred documents that may contain personal |
| identity thefts, but it may be the easiest to | | | | information, before you throw them in the trash. |
| notice, because people get credit card statements | | | | Review your credit report at least once a year, |
| every month, so they can quickly identify any | | | | to check for inaccuracies. And never give out |
| fraudulent charges. | | | | personal information over the phone to strangers. |
| Identity theft can also be used in cases of illegal | | | | Identity theft can be a traumatic experience. Not |
| immigration, terrorism and blackmail. Money isn't | | | | only can you be ruined economically, but you |
| the only reason that identities are stolen. People | | | | could also be arrested for crimes, someone |
| may be trying to gain access to confidential | | | | committed, under your identity. There are millions |
| information, or they maybe trying to hide their | | | | of people, that have their identities stolen, each |
| own criminal past. Many of the activities that | | | | year. The free flow of information is a great |
| people do in life, require some form of personal | | | | concept, but freedom comes with a price. People |
| information. Whether it's getting a bank account, | | | | need to balance their desire for information with |
| applying for a credit card, or going to see a | | | | desire for security. |