BANGALORE: Cyber criminals have many ways of obtaining your personal information, from skimming devices that steal your credit card data to malware that collects the personal information you enter online.

These scams can give hackers access to everything, including your bank account and your social security number. If you think fraudulent charges on your credit cards are the worst-case scenario, think again. Here are just a few of the terrifying things criminals can do with your information.

1. Empty Your Bank Account

Credit cards are the threat most people think of when they consider their information being stolen. While this is frightening, most credit card companies offer some type of fraud protection that will keep you safe, if you act quickly. Approximately 35 percent of identity fraud involves bank accounts. If a hacker gets access to your bank account, he can clean you out and leave you with nothing to pay your bills or buy groceries until you have sorted out the mess left behind.