ID theft and OPSEC: what's the big deal? Published March 22, 2010 By Victor Duckarmenn 21st Space Wing Plans and Programs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Most people may not be aware of how prevalent ID theft has become but those who have fallen prey to this crime can tell horror stories that may persuade you to change your ways when it comes to the use of ID cards, Social Security numbers, credit cards and the like. So, what's the big deal? Colorado is currently experiencing a rise in ID theft. How do these criminals do it? The newest method is "skimming," or using a device mounted to an ATM to "skim" your information when you use the ATM. There are also portable skimmers that can be used in retail stores. But what else could go wrong? Do you have a shredder at home? If you don't, you might want to consider it as a home office must. People go through trash for valuable information and can learn a lot about their neighbors by conducting their own "dumpster dive." Hopefully you are shredding documents at home, just as you do at work to comply with the wing's 100 percent shred policy. Now that you're really worried, what if you deploy? There are numerous ways your ID can be stolen. You must remember there is no expectation of privacy overseas. While in a foreign land, don't let anyone copy your military or civilian Common Access Card This can be the beginning of a potential ID theft. According to BIOMETRICS, a radio frequency identification company, adversaries can now skim any RFID now contained in E-Passports and universal ID cards from up to 30 feet away. There is protection for your CAC's RFID. The ID card personnel have a GSA approved electromagnetic opaque rigid badge sleeve or holder to protect you and your CAC card from data interception. They give one sleeve per card holder. See them today. "What else," you may say? "War driving" is another trend in ID theft. Here someone with a "sniffer" program drives around the neighborhood and tries to access data using Wi-Fi and open networks. If someone uses a debit card and types in a PIN over an unsecured network, the war driver could intercept the data. Hacking, cracking and skimming are becoming the crimes of the 21st century and you need to protect yourself using some simple measures. The three primary measures are shredding, using CAC and E-Passport protections and watching where you use your credit, debit or ATM cards. OPSEC is the protection of critical information and it starts with you. Think OPSEC each and every day at home and at work.