The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that people pretending to be FEMA or other government officials are calling or going door-to-door asking for personal information.

FORBES: Beware These Disaster-Related Scams

Mobile users can also be duped through so-called "smishing" -- a combination of the words SMS and phishing -- where a user receives a text message asking for personal information like a credit card number, e-mail address or social security number.

CNN: Check your phone: Nations with the most mobile malware

So consumers are increasingly asking that businesses be held responsible for securing the personal information they maintain.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Rather than asking for the number of employees to be hired, it asks for employee personal information and where they will work.

FORBES: With the Economy Sputtering, Obama Must Allow High-Skilled Immigrants

They have sent out 16-page questionnaires to some 3.8m long-term unemployed and welfare recipients, asking for information about everything from the income of other family members and personal savings to health insurance and special dietary needs.

ECONOMIST: A new and controversial law takes effect this weekend