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There's no denying the power of the internet. It gives us access to the entire world. But for those who know how to look for it, it also gives them access to you and your sensitive personal information.
It took just minutes sifting through a file share program for CityNews to obtain personal information on individuals like Julie Lopreiato. Her address, phone number and place of work were all there for the taking. Enough, experts say, for a cunning con man to steal her identity.

"It is creepy. Very creepy," Lopreiato said when confronted with the info. "I didn't know that could happen."

"It is extremely weird and horrible. And I feel violated."

I.T. Security expert Phil Hobden admits that a plethora of information is available to those with the means and motive to access it.

"In the public domain, there are people who know how to break through those things. Account information. Health information. Benefits information."

Hobden advises computer uses be cautious of what they store on their systems.

Here are some ways fraudsters try to get information online:

Phishing/Spoofing

This is when identity thieves pose as legitimate businesses asking for your information. In many cases you'll be asked to "validate" or "verify" your personal information.

You'll most often get these requests in the form of e-mails or pop-ups while you're surfing the Net.

These messages often look formal and will often direct you to an official-looking Web site, but you must remember that legitimate companies and banks will NEVER ask you for sensitive personal information via e-mail.

If you ever have a doubt, call the company directly.

E-mail scams can also carry worms or viruses that can seriously damage your computer

Internet Auction Fraud

Buying things online can be a very risky business and in this type of fraud the seller may fail to send the merchandise, they may send something of less value, they could fail to deliver the item in a timely manner, or fail to disclose all the details of product.

Here are some ways to avoid being taken:

-Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
-Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
-Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
-Examine the feedback on the seller.
-Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
-If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the country because of the difference in laws.
-Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
-Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
-There should be no reason to give out your social security number or driver's license number to the seller.

Debt Elimination

These scams usually involve websites advertising a legal way of getting rid of your mortgage loans and credit card debts.

Fraudsters will usually ask for $1,500 to $2,000, along with their victims' loan information and a special power of attorney authorizing the scammer to enter into transactions on the victim's behalf.

The risk of identity theft is extremely high


Employment / Business Opportunities

This is when foreign-based companies recruit employees on self-employment search websites for work-at-home opportunities.

Prospective employees are asked to submit their personal information and copies of their identification.

The company says it doesn't have banking set up in the victim's country and tells the employee that one of its creditors will send them a cheque. That amount is more than the employee is owed and the foreign company tells the person to deposit the cheque in their account and wire it the overpayment.

The cheques are then found to be fraudulent, after the wire transfer happened.

Internet Extortion

Internet extortion involves hacking into and controlling various industry databases, promising to release control back to the company if funds are received, or the subjects are given web administrator jobs. Similarly, the subject will threaten to compromise information about consumers in the industry database unless funds are received.

Spam

Spam is unsolicited bulk e-mail and is being used to carry out crimes including credit card fraud and identity theft.

Spam can also allow criminals to access computers and servers and transmit viruses.

Nigerian Letter Scam

This often comes in the form of an e-mail where the author of the letter claims to be a government official who's trying to transfer millions of dollars out of Nigeria and is offering you a cut for your help.

The scheme relies on convincing a victim to send installments of money to the author in increasing amounts.

In some cases, the fraudsters have used the information the victims have given them to drain bank accounts and some people were even lured to Nigeria where they were imprisoned, according to the FBI.