Here at Ezy-Way Security Shredding, many of our customers often quiz us as to the most common ways in which identity theft occurs. Identity theft is a serious problem, and many people all over Australia believe it will not happen to them - but it is important to be aware and know how identity theft can occur.

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of ways to gain access to your personal information. It is common that they may obtain information from businesses or institutions whilst working - bribing an employee who has access to these records, hacking these records and conning information out of employees. This is the most common, and often can be worsened by a lack of proper security shredding services. Other ways include:

- Stealing of your wallet or purse.
- Stealing of your personal information through email or the phone, stating that they are from a legitimate company and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as ‘phishing’ online or ‘pretexting’ by phone.
- Stealing your credit or debit card numbers, by capturing the information in a data storage device. This practice is known as ’skimming’.
- Obtaining your credit reports, by abusing the authorized access that was granted to their employer, or by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legal right to your report.
- Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses or public trash dumps in a practice known as ‘dumpster diving’.
- Stealing of your personal information that they find in your home, in the instance of a break-in.
- Stealing of your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks and tax information.
- Completing a ‘change of address’ form to divert your mail to another location, such as their own, in order to gain access to all of your personal mail.

It is vital that you are constantly aware of any unusual occurances, and report them immediately. Be smart and be safe, as your identity is highly important and must be regarded in the same fashion. Get in contact with Ezy-Way Security Shredding today, to have one of our professional carefully dispose and destroy your confidential documents.