In many ways, there is no theft more frightening than identity theft. This modern day version of stealing can affect a person’s life more profoundly than old fashioned theft, like having your car stolen. At the end of the day, you can always get another car, or even use public transport; but how can you get your identity back?

Online problem

Of course, the identity in question is the online version; those personal details we all give up to private companies and other agencies, in order to buy goods and services, or, indeed, verify our identity. The thing is, without facial recognition or some other “fool proof” way of checking, anyone who enters the right letters and numbers into an account passes for “you”.

With the right details, the thief can then commit identity fraud; that is, obtaining access to lines of credit or other goods and services by pretending to be another person. Identity fraud allows the fraudster to open bank accounts, receive state benefits, credit cards, loans, goods, mobile phone contracts and documents such as a driving licence or passport, all under a false identity.

For victims of identity theft, the only sign something is wrong is when they notice something unexpected, such as going to the ATM and not being able to withdraw cash. By the time this happens, the thief could potentially have committed a whole range of other frauds; this is a terrifying situation for any victim to find themselves in.

Common vulnerability

The term “hacking” is often used when thinking about ways in which identity is stolen; this conjures up images of some IT genius in a darkened room trawling the internet for unwary citizens’ personal details. In fact, your identity can be “hacked” while you’re sitting in a restaurant, paying for your meal.

Many retail outlets, bars, and other spending environments now provide a free Wi-Fi service. As soon as this is logged into, personal details are vulnerable to anyone who knows how to look, and who is also using the same Wi-Fi. As this could be anyone within range, this could be literally hundreds of people.

For this reason, it’s important to keep all personal details private. Online banking, for example, should never be done over a non-secure Wi-Fi service; as this will require at least a password, and possibly some memorable information, anyone hacking into your account might as well be looking over your shoulder while you type in the details.

Offline solutions

Not all identity theft is carried out online, however. A much more old-fashioned method is for thieves to go through your bins. As people receive “junk” mail all the time, they tend to throw it straight out; this may be a big mistake. Mail with an offer of a pre-approved credit card, for example, will give the potential thief some useful information with which to get started.

The best way of avoiding the horrors of identity theft is to stay alert. In today’s connected world, the fact is that someone is always looking over your shoulder, even if they’re not there physically. Most of those doing the looking will be harmless, but it only takes one who isn’t to ruin your life by stealing your identity.