Stealing wallets or purses used to be the best way of obtaining driving licence details, credit card numbers, NI numbers and other pieces of information and whilst this method is still employed, identity thieves use newer, more sophisticated means:

• Sifting through dust bins for unshredded credit card and loan application documents or other documents with identity details
  
  
• Stealing mail sticking out of letter boxes or by intercepting mail by other means such as completing a mail redirection form at the post office
  
  
• Obtaining pre-approved credit offers - increasingly common in the UK - "Mr. Cresswell, we have approved you a personal loan of £5,000. All you have to do is sign below and return the form . . . "
  
  
• Accessing your credit card fraudulently, perhaps by posing as an employer, loan company or landlord
  
  
• Obtaining names and NI details from personnel files in the workplace
  
  
• "Shoulder surfing" at ATM machines and by people on the phone in order to capture PIN numbers
  
  
• Finding identifying information on Internet sources, via public records and fee-based information from the many information brokers advertising their services.
  
  
• Thieving information whilst in your home for a legitimate reason e.g. decorating or appliance maintenance.
  
  
• Stealing information from work places and shops or organisations which legitimately hold your details.