1.   And while identity thieves are still often low-tech con artists, the rise in cases, say experts, has roughly paralleled the proliferation of the Internet.

2.   Armed with your Social Security and credit card numbers, an identity thief can get duplicate cards and charge all kinds of expenses to your accounts.

3.   Call the postal inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a fraudulent change-of-address order to get your mail and personal information about you.

4.   Credit reports are the keys to the kingdom for identity thieves.

5.   Florida, a hotbed for all types of fraud, is home to more than its share of identity thieves.

6.   Identity thieves can use the personal information of others to set up fraudulent credit accounts.

7.   Identity thieves get information in a variety of ways.

8.   Identity thieves have been known to steal personal and financial details like bank account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers and birthdates.

9.   In recent years, sentences imposed on identity thieves who were sent to prison often did not exceed one year.

10.   Most identity thieves raid the accounts of ordinary citizens.