The sole purpose of the criminals who commit identity theft is a theft of personal data. Criminals use many ways to get it. However, we will dwell only on those that are used on the Web.
The most ubiquitous way to steal personal data on the web is a phishing attack. The criminals create fake websites that are visually indistinguishable from the original. Thousands of users are becoming victims of fraud.
So, please beware of websites that request personal information. Make sure that they belong just to those companies that they represent. Verify that the domain name is typed correctly. Be careful when receiving e-mails. Learn more about protection from phishing attacks:
Federal Trade Commission: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft