Have you ever thought, your mailing address is changed with you knowing it? Or some one collects the documents you just tore and thrashed to get your personal information?

Or can something like a casual talk on chat or social network make you loose your identity...? Well, the answer is yes.

The article will help you understand the sources of identity theft and information misuse. It will also walk you through the ways you can keep your identity safe and minimize such menace.

What can happen with identity theft?

If a fraudster acquires your personal information, it can be misused to a large extend. Using your identity, the person can apply for financial privileges and benefits like credit cards, loans, bank accounts, housing benefit, income support; etc. It can be used for applying driving license, passport, mobile number, internet connection, and even register vehicle.

At times, identity theft is used a means for threatening, especially if the act done by has an immediate consequence like arrest or job loss.