Despite your best efforts to manage the flow of your personal information or to keep it to yourself, skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods — low- and hi-tech — to gain access to your data. Here are some of the ways the bad guys can get your personal information and take over your identity.

• They steal wallets and purses containing your identification and credit and bank cards.
• They steal your mail, including your bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, and tax information.

• They complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
• They rummage through your trash, or the trash of businesses, for personal data in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
• They fraudulently obtain your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for, and legal right to, the information.
• They find personal information in your home.
• They use personal information you share on the Internet.
• They scam you, often through email, by posing as legitimate companies or government agencies you do business with.
• They get your information from the workplace in a practice known as "business record theft" by: stealing files out of offices where you’re a customer, employee, patient or student; bribing an employee who has access to your files; or "hacking" into electronic files.

There are several ways identity thieves use your personal information:

• They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, ask to change the mailing address on your credit card account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, it may take some time before you realize there’s a problem.
• They open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth and Social Security Number. When they use the credit card and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
• They establish phone or wireless service in your name.
• They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
• They file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they’ve incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
• They counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
• They buy cars by taking out auto loans in your name.
• They give your name to the police during an arrest. If they’re released from police custody, but don’t show up for their court date, an arrest warrant is issued in your name.

While you probably can’t prevent identity theft entirely, you can minimize your risk. By managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft.

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IN MEMORIAM: Robert B. Smith, 78, passed away on December 29, 2003. He was Administrator of the Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) since its inception in June, 1992 and was made a member of the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame in 2001. Mayor Dick Murphy proclaimed October 27, 2003 as "Bob Smith Day," and Bob also received the Channel 10 Leadership Award, as well as many police honors. We were sorry to hear of his death and extend our deepest sympathy to his family. His soft Texas drawl will be missed at the RB Storefront.