There are many different types of information that criminals can access and use for their own benefits. The most common ones include social security numbers, credit cards, check fraud, cell phone fraud, e-mail phishing, and even scams involving so called protection from identity theft.

The one key that opens the most doors for scammers is obtaining your social security number. With it they are able to access your credit report, find out your account numbers, and apply for new credit in your name.

It is easy to apply for credit card offers online and with your personal information it is very easy to do it. There are plenty of ways to get access to a person's online credit card account. Many sites online look legitimate but that check out page may be nothing more than a place to collect your personal data.

They can then use your credit card to buy what they want until they max out the card. Check fraud works the same way except it is your bank account they drain. If you conduct online checking account transactions the process is even easier for them.

Cell phones are a common item in this day and age. With your social security number and other personal information it is easy for your identity to be used to purchase new cell phones. The bills they rack up can be unbelievable by the time you get it they have already moved on to another phone.

Be very wary of e-mails that ask you for personal information. This is a common scam called phishing. Legitimate companies you have accounts with will never ask you to verify information via e-mail. Contact them directly instead of responding to such requests.

One of the cruelest scams of all involves obtaining your personal information when you are ironically trying to protect yourself from identity theft. This involves fraudulent identity theft protection programs. They ask you for all of your personal information and then use it against you.