Remember that though these crimes may be easily detected through credit card purchases, there are some con artists that do not use that avenue. What they do is just assume your name and personal history and use it as their own. Unlike your fingerprints, which is impossible to copy, your personal data especially your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card number, your telephone number, and other identifyable data can be used, if they fall into the wrong hands. They may steal garbage bags or "dumpster dive" for trash with revealing information. Fellow employees may access information from your personnel file. Bank employees have collected data from their computer databases. Others collect data from public records. You can prevent identity theft by purchasing and using a paper shredder. The Web is wide open for any kind of good or bad biz intent as almost everybody depicts a persona of anybody, or anything else. The only sure bet to free oneself of these online deceptions is to protect your site by using security measures like installing anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware compatible to every platforms that will block your computer from unexpected intrusion. Some companies include these kinds of insurance as part of their homeowners insurance policies while others sell them as stand alone policies or as an endorsementa to a homeowners or renters insurance policies. On average, these policies cost between $25 and $50 for $15,000 to $25,000 worth of coverage. Identity number thefts are one of the most controversial topics in this day and age of computers, emails and the Internet. The scariest thing about identity number theft is that it is a crime that can affect anyone. Indeed, there is great chance now more than ever that your personal information will be stolen by identity number thieves. It is becoming more of a problem that requires immediate solutions that can really put a stop to it. In order to be able to do something about it and protect ourselves against it, we must first be able to understand what it is. Identity theft happens when someone you do not know begins using your personal information for fraud and other crimes without your knowledge.