It's everywhere you don't want it to be. From skimming your debit card at a gas pump to phony financial e-mails hitting your cell phone or computer, identity theft is as crafty as it is continuous.
More than 11 million of us fell victim to identity theft last year, according to an annual report by Javelin Strategy & Research.
"It's really the crime that won't go away. It's so insidious," said Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, which launched national Protect Your Identity week with the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
It also can be costly, in both time and money. The average victim of identity theft in 2009 lost $4,840 and spent 21 hours coping with the aftermath, according to Javelin's study of 5,000 U.S. consumers.
The motives of identity thieves are usually the same: to swipe your personal or financial information and use it to drain accounts, open credit cards and engage in other financial mayhem in your name.
Recently, California investigators charged three Los Angeles men with 42 counts of felony identity theft for allegedly using illegal electronic devices to skim debit and credit card numbers at seven Northern California gas station pumps, including one in the Sacramento area. They allegedly stole more than $160,000 from about 200 consumers.
Also last week, the state Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization warned Californians of phony e-mails to taxpayers stating that their electronic tax payments did not go through. The e-mails are an apparent attempt to electronically fish for personal data, the tax agencies said.
As a form of identity theft, these so-called "phishing scams" continually surface. The IRS, banks and other organizations regularly warn consumers about fraudulent e-mails or texts.
How can you avoid this type of identity theft? Don't respond to any request to verify your account number or password. Legitimate companies or government agencies will typically request information by letter, not in an e-mail or cell phone text.
And while identity theft can happen anywhere to almost anyone, here are some other known risks and how to avoid them:
In a tight-fisted job market, scammers prey on people's urgency to find work.
"People have gotten more desperate and have let down their guard," said Linda Foley, founder of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego. "They're taking chances with (job) ads they never would have responded to before or giving out personal information in hopes someone will hire (them)."
In some cases, phony online ads ask that a resume include a Social Security number. Or applicants are asked to bring personal documents to a location that's not a real office, but an empty storefront.
"It's buyer beware," said Foley. "If you can't see a person face to face or cannot check out the company by doing basic homework," be wary.
Limit personal information on your resume, she added. Include your e-mail address and telephone, not necessarily a home address, and never a Social Security number.
Believe it or not, children under 18 can become identity theft victims if someone uses their name and Social Security number to commit fraud.
According to the California Office of Privacy Protection, children may be targets "because the crime can go undetected for years, often until the child applies for his or her first loan or credit card."
The signs of possible child identity theft: bills, credit cards or debt collection notices coming to your home in your child's name. However, in some cases, a pre-approved credit card offer might simply be a marketing tool because you've opened a bank account or college fund in your child's name. If that's the case, ask your bank to remove your child's name from its marketing lists.
If you suspect your child's identity has been fraudulently used, check with the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to see if a credit report exists in your child's name. Call their (800) numbers and provide your child's name and Social Security number.
If no credit report is found, it's good news. If a credit report exists, it means someone likely opened an account using your child's name. Explain the situation to the bureau and get steps on how to clear your child's credit file, including a freeze so the file can't be accessed.
In general, be stingy in giving out your child's Social Security number for school, sports or extracurricular activities. "Guard that number as carefully as you guard your child walking to school," Foley said.
When your child's number is requested, she said, ask questions: Why do you need it? If I don't provide it, is there an alternative form of ID?
Crowded malls, harried shoppers, lots of financial transactions: The upcoming holidays can be prime time for identity thieves. Above all, the best prevention is awareness — of your surroundings, your cash, your credit cards, your purse or wallet. Also:
—Never carry large amounts of cash, or your Social Security card.
—If you're not using a checkbook, keep it safe at home. Lighten your wallet or purse; if either are stolen, your losses will be fewer.
—Be careful using ATMs. If someone is standing too close, ask them to move away. If something looks amiss on the machine, go somewhere else and report it.
—Make copies, front and back, of all credit cards so you can easily report a loss or fraudulent charges.
—Reconcile restaurant receipts to be sure the meal amount and tip match what's on your bank statement.
—Check your online statements regularly to be sure all purchases are yours. Same for credit card or bank statements that come in the mail.
—When shopping online, always check to be sure you're on a company's official website, not a lookalike. Cybercrooks often change a letter or two to create phony web addresses designed to lure innocent shoppers.
SHRED 'N' DESTROY
Identity theft experts say one of the most basic precautions is to shred any personal or financial paperwork. You can buy an inexpensive shredder for home or office use or haul the paper to a free shredding event. There also are mobile shredding companies that will come to your home or office for a charge.
For electronics, when you're done with those old cell phones, printers, hard drives or scanners, don't just donate or toss them in the trash, without first erasing all personal data.
"They all capture digital images and personal data such as passwords. If you just throw these away, someone savvy enough can get that personal information and steal your identity," said Katie Robison, spokeswoman for the local Better Business Bureau.
"Fighting identity theft is a constant battle, and the attacks can come at you from all fronts," Barry Goggin, president and CEO of the West Sacramento-based BBB, said in a recent statement. "Because we are all potential victims, it's important that we all take steps to fight identity theft."
By Claudia Buck
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