How much info does a scammer need to steal identity?HELP?

We were recently involved with a scam in which we gave out our address, phone number, and birth date. Is that enough information to get our identity stolen?

this is the email i received back from the person after inquiring about a house for rent. after this the sent an application and i filled it out not thinking i could be apart of a scam.


Thanks for your response and interest in our house.

The house is very much available and it is a large 3 bedrooms and 2 bathroom house. Which was formally occupied by me and my family before we left for Nigeria for a pastoral duty with the US-AID, we left for a volunteer mission together with other missionaries for a development program with the aim of developing the people of West Africa physically and spiritually as God as directed us. We wanted to sale the house initially but we later changed our mind after we discovered that we wouldn't be spending more than 5 years here in Africa.

Presently my lovely husband and i are on the missionary field with US-AID. US-AID as u know works in agriculture, democracy & governance, economic growth, the environment,education, health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries to provide a better future for all..

US-AID still faces an uncertain future. In many developing countries, HIV/AIDS and health issues are having a dramatic impact on social cohesiveness and economic strength, blocking the very development goals we seek. Virtually all the new democracies in the world today are fragile; others are democracies more in name than substance.. Nearly a quarter of the people living in developing countries, or about one billion people, live in absolute poverty.. There are a host of other threats - ranging from terrorism to infectious disease and violent conflict - that challenge us and the developing nations we seek to help. Here is US-AID Web address:-http://www.usaid.gov

US-AID efforts to foster world-wide economic growth and increased trade,and tackling cross-border issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS and trafficking in persons.To safe the live of peoples from primitive death that claims the souls of younger ages as a result of casual sex gave us transfer to West Africa and we will be away for 5 years and this is why we are actually renting out house,so if you are interested and will take good care of our house then we will be ready to accept you as our future tenant and family friend.. If you really impress me by taking good care of our house then you will be allowed to stay as long as you wish.

This is the Address of the Single family house: 1217 7th Ave NE, Minot ND

So get back to me on how you could take care of our house or perhaps experience you have in renting home. Hope you are okay with the price of US$825/month and $700 for security deposit with water, heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on. PETS ARE WELCOME!

I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get the house , also are you ready to rent it now or when? Await your reply.

Best Regards

You can call my husband anytime at: (0112347026282089 or +2347026282089)

Note: the Rent is $825 and security deposit is $700

Total Move In Cost:$1,525

Thanks and God bless you

Pastor Cathy E Schnell

Most likely she (or he) is trying to steal money, not identity. This kind of scam works by having the victim send money for the keys, which never come. The writing style is consistent with the scammer being Nigerian; it is unlikely, with that info, that he'll try to steal your identity. Ignore her and he'll go on to the next victim.

If you had given a credit card number, Social Security number, or bank account number, you'd have more cause to worry. Trade in stolen credit card numbers is common. I've given nonexistent bank account numbers to scammers and not been questioned, so they're probably not trying to steal them.

I would not be too concerned about divulging your address, phone number and birth date to the scammer.
The reason the slimey tricksters ask for those details is to make their conniving scam sound more believable, in that the target feels at ease. I have given much more personal information than what you describe with no untoward effects happening. The trickster is not going to go knocking on your door or cause too many waves because then it's real identity will be known. If said trickster on the off chance starts calling your phone number (more likely not to happen), simply ask your phone provider to block long distance incoming calls or allow calls from friends/ family only. It could always be changed back after.