Identity theft happens both online and offline. One of the ways that identity thieves collect personal and financial information about members of the public offline, is to sift through carelessly discarded trash. Many people throw bank statements, utility bills and other potentially sensitive documentation away without shredding it first. An identity thief can find enough about someone - just from their dustbin or mailbox - to steal their identity. Identity thieves steal personal and financial information online more purposely, with phishing attempts for example - but it is often as a result of carelessness and/or complacency, regarding personal and financial information.