But experts say...  it's not a matter of "if"... But "when" your identity will be stolen.

These theives are not just stealing using the old-fashioned techniques like breaking into your car or snatching your purse. 

There are new- high tech ways... Called phishing and pharming.. Over the internet.

Jim Chandler is a certified risk management specialist. When News13 showed him a printout of a solicitation that appeared to be from a widely known bank, Chandler said, "This is very common. You think it's where you bank, who you do business with, whatever.  And you're led to believe (it), and they get your information. And so-  one-  they have your information.  It doesn't happen just once, now your information is out there." 

Holly Stevens is also an identity theft consultant, who specializes in training businesses to become identity theft compliant. "It takes you a lifetime to build credibility and your credit information.  It takes a thief an hour to a day to ruin it.

Stevens says one of the latest trends- professional identity thieves will steal your personal information, and hold it for a while.  They'll wait to use it months later, in a different state, so that you don't detect it.

Through the power and convenience of the internet, the newest trend of buying goods and paying all of your bills on line has paved the way for one of the newest threats- identity theft.

Especially if you pay your bills from a wireless computer connection.

One victim, Amanda Glass,  did just that, and had no idea that while she was online, someone hacked into her computer.  "Someone got a hold of all of our account info, our pass codes, our routing numbers our account numbers, everything. They decided to set up an account on Paypal and wire transfer $4500 from our account into their account".   Amanda said that Pay Pal actually got a red flag, and notified her. She says her bank, otherwise, knew nothing about the theft.

Nine million americans will have their identity stolen this year.... that's according to the Federal Trade Commission. Law enforcement says it's the fastest growing crime in america, costing businesses and individuals 53 billion dollars annually.  

Another identity theft victim who owns a paralegal and title company in Conway, says everything that happened to her, happened online.

Lisa Cleary says her office is a pretty close knit group.  "You know when you work with people 8 hours a day, you're with them more than you are your own family." 

It turns out, it's the perfect setup for an identity thief.... Easy access to your records, and the internet.  Experts say most identity theft crimes are committed by someone you know. According to Jim Chandler, "They're going to change your address, they're going to open accounts in your name that go to the address you know nothing about."  That's exactly what happened to Lisa.  She says it was a shocker to discover, first- forged checks, and then... large sums of money from her bank accounts.... gone.  "And that's when I found out that someone had gone on line like they were me, applied for credit cards, giving themselves a user card, and had it mailed to their address," Lisa said.  She also told News13, it was a longtime trusted employee who signed up for numerous credit cards over the internet, and that it's taking months of work and reams of paperwork to rebuild the financial credibility that took her a lifetime to build. But she said that's not the hardest part.  "I think that's what's bothered me the most, is that it was somebody I trusted and that it went along so long.  That they looked at me across this table right here in the eye everyday, and how they could've done that," Cleary told us.  So after many lessons learned, and a tightening up of procedures around her close knit office, Lisa Cleary says she doesn't think she'll ever trust the way she used to.  "Even if it insults some of your staff people, you have to look behind them to make sure.  I don't care who they are."

One thing Lisa Cleary learned.. is that if your identity is stolen, and you don't report it to credit agencies within 60 days, you are liable for the debt... even on credit cards you don't know about.  And Lisa said you should file a police report with your local law enforcement agency.  Lisa said she has relied heavily on the help and support of the Horry County Police Department.

Today, Lisa does her own bookkeeping, instead of relying on someone else.  That way, she can keep a close eye on anything that could be a "red flag".  She also gets filed a credit report every six months. 

HERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
-Guard your Social Security number.  When possible, don't carry your social security card with you
-Don't put your Social Security number or Driver's License number on your checks.
-Guard your personal information.  You should never give your Social Security number to anyone unless they have a good reason for needing it.
-Carefully destroy papers you discard, especially those with sensitive or identifying information, even credit card solicitions.
-Be suspicious of telephone solicitors. Never provide information unless you have initiated the call.
-Delete any suspicious e-mail requests without replying.
-Have cleaner purses/brief cases.  Secure laptops.
-Don't pay bills through your mail box.
-Use a P.O. Box or get a locked mailbox.
-Consolidate your credit cards so that you can keep track of them.
-Review your credit reports every 6 months... Rotate that credit check among these credit reporting agencies

News from: SC NOW.com