This could really make you paranoid, let's hope not, but it should at least make you aware and cautious.

There are many ways your identity and private information can be stolen, and most of it does not happen online .

Experts agree that the people you least expect are the ones are usually the most guilty. Family members and friends, because they are closest to you and know your intimate details, account for the highest percentage of identity thieves. They also have easy access to your most personal documents in the house and online.

these are some ways identity theft can occur

They've been doing it for years, stealing wallets, purses, and check and bank books.

If you have an unlocked mail box, chances are they have been stealing from there. Not just the mail you receive, but more importantly mail you leave for the postman to go out.

What do they steal?

Bank statements, credit card statements, cell phone statements, telephone statements including all the long distance numbers you called, utility statements and receipts, income tax documents, even greeting cards

They can even take your information and request
change of address forms, complete them and send them to the post office. All your important mail is going to go to their address.

At work anyone can steal your information from personal files. If you have an address book or engagement calendar with personal information in it, considered it to be an easy target.

How many times have you purchased a money order with a piece of carbon paper in it? You probably threw it away in the trash receptacle at the post office. Anyone could get that carbon paper and read all the information that is on it, including utility company names and account numbers that you put in the memo section.

How many times have you checked your account balance at an ATM, or withdrew money ? If you threw the receipt away in the trash, there's a good possibility your bank account number is on it.

Identity thieves have posed as public workers and survey takers. They knock on your door, ask you questions, and with the information you give in your answers, you supply them with what they are after.

How sure are you that every time you give someone your credit card number over the telephone that they aren't going to use it for another purpose?

If you leave your vehicle unlocked, there's always a possibility someone is going to help themselves to information stored in the

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