MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With nine simple numbers or a bank receipt thrown into the trash, a service member's identity can be mirrored and vital information obtained.
Identity theft involves taking personal information and using it for personal gain. Criminals can use basic information to make purchases or for other means of wreaking havoc in someone's life.
"If you find yourself a victim of identity theft, take immediate steps to limit the damage," advised Capt. Matt Spurlock, Staff Judge Advocate Office legal assistance officer. "See legal assistance, contact the local authorities along with contacting the credit bureau and notify them that you have been a victim of identity theft."
In addition to knowing what to do after identity theft has occurred, taking the proper precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring is also important.
"The key to identity theft should be prevention," said Spurlock. "Take the proper steps to secure personal information. Never give others your passwords or pin numbers and be cautious when asked to provide your social security number if you suspect something is not right."
The after effect of identity theft is not something that goes away as easy as it happens.
"This can be a big problem because if you are a victim of identity theft it can be a long and expensive process to correct what the thief has done to you," said Spurlock. "Severe damage can be done to your credit report. A bad credit report can prevent you from buying cars, taking out loans and buying homes."
In conjunction with identity theft occurring because of improperly disposed information, the dependency of ever-growing electronic industry can also play a factor in identity theft.
"Phishing is the name of a new scam that involves the use of e-mails," said Gunnery Sgt. Anaiz Stinson, Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron information assurance manager. "These e-mails are being passed around and claim to be from financial institutions. They are worded so you feel threatened and the only way to fix it is by giving up information. When you receive e-mails that ask you to give out personal information, don't. Social security numbers, credit card information or anything else transferred on the Internet can be retrieved by hackers very easily."
For those unsure about the legality of e-mails, there is an easy way to find out and prevent a bad experience.
"If unsure about an e-mail send it to us. We have the resource to verify the validity of Web sites," said Stinson. "You can send any e-mails to iasmb@usmc.mil and we will let you know if the Web site is valid, which very few are."