Still think identity thieves want your credit? Think again 380,000 welfare recipients have had their

One of the things I run across all the time when talking about identity theft is someone who says A) "They don't want my credit." or B) "I wish they would steal my identity, it would improve my credit score." Both of these statements are based on a common misconception, that identity theft is about credit. It's not.

Financial Identity theft, or identity theft for financial gain is only about 30% of the identity theft phenomenon. Other areas of Identity theft can easily be bigger nightmares than the financial side, after all money can be replaced. Your freedom and health cannot.

If you still believe it about money, here's an article that should make you think. It seems Social Services in Ireland is notifying 380,000 welfare recipients that their information was stolen over a year ago. Welfare recipients. Thieves made it a point to steal a laptop with the personal information of welfare recipients.

I'm sure they saw a financial windfall in that one or they perhaps understand what we do not, you are more than your credit score. Are you in good health with available insurance benefits? Do you have a spotless reputation? For that matter, can you be legally employed? All of these are parts of your identity theft a thief will use, sell or trade. Your credit is simply the icing on the cake.