Identity thefts is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and what can be really frustrating about this is that you cannot really know how fast it is growing. Not only are identity theft cases hard to solve, they are also hard to detect. There are identity crimes that are not solved until after a decade because of the lack of information. The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you to a web site that looks just like a legitimate organization's site, but it isn't. The purpose of the bogus site? However, there are other simpler ways of protecting yourself from identity theft from misuse of your social security. As much as possible, don't carry documents with you with sensitive information like your social security number in your wallet. Find some other safe place to put it. Seems tedious yes but if your wallet is stolen, all your valuable numbers are left vulnerable to unscrupulous thieves who can compromise your identity. The imposter may even use the victim's good name for criminal activities. It is a dual crime because not only is it committed against an individual's financial life and credit history but also against his or her reputation and social standing in the community and in the workplace. In one notorious case of identity theft, a convicted felon have not only incurred thousands of credit card debt by using another person's identity, he was also able to obtain a federal home loan, and even bought homes, motorcycles, and handguns using the victim's name. Originally approved Credit Cards, or renewals of the same, may be delivered by servicemen who may try to get your personal data that are not commonly asked, such as birthdays, or expiry dates of your card. Refrain from it, instead, tell them to send you a written message, bearing the letterhead of the originating office that they need it, to add to your resume. Don t answer directly from your landline telephone, nor you d reply straight to the caller in his telephone or mobile unit for any demand on your personal identity number, or number. Queries needing response that you find doubtful should be replied direct to the office referred to, in the call. Possibly, try to research about the whereabouts of the place mentioned, if there are any.