Identity Theft
Identity theft is a term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person 's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. Unlike your fingerprints, which are unique to you and cannot be given to someone else for their use, your personal data ¬ especially your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card number, your telephone calling card number, and other valuable identifying data ¬ can be used, if they fall into the wrong hands, to personally profit at your expense (Weisman).
Over the last few years, the number of reported cases of identity theft has skyrocketed, from 86,000 reported cases in 2001 to over 10,000,000 in 2005 (Weisman). It is by far the fastest growing crime in the United States. Perhaps what is even scarier than the crime itself is the ease with which the crime can be pulled off. Many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. In public places, for example, criminals may engage in "shoulder surfing" ¬ watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number ¬ or listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the telephone to a hotel or rental car company (Delaney). Even the area near your home or office may not be secure. Some criminals engage in "dumpster diving" ¬ going through your garbage cans or a communal dumpster or trash bin to obtain copies of your checks, credit card or bank statements, or other records that typically bear your name, address, and even your telephone number (Borrus). These types of records make it easier for criminals to get control over accounts in your name and assume your identity.
If you receive applications for "pre-approved" credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards
Over the last few years, the number of reported cases of identity theft has skyrocketed, from 86,000 reported cases in 2001 to over 10,000,000 in 2005 (Weisman). It is by far the fastest growing crime in the United States. Perhaps what is even scarier than the crime itself is the ease with which the crime can be pulled off. Many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. In public places, for example, criminals may engage in "shoulder surfing" ¬ watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number ¬ or listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the telephone to a hotel or rental car company (Delaney). Even the area near your home or office may not be secure. Some criminals engage in "dumpster diving" ¬ going through your garbage cans or a communal dumpster or trash bin to obtain copies of your checks, credit card or bank statements, or other records that typically bear your name, address, and even your telephone number (Borrus). These types of records make it easier for criminals to get control over accounts in your name and assume your identity.
If you receive applications for "pre-approved" credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards
Cited: Borrus, A. (2003, March 31).To Catch an Identity Theft. Business Week, 3826, 91. Corel (2000, June 5). Identity Theft and Fraud. Retrieved November 17, 2005 from Pct, U.S Fisher, A. (2005, September 5). Job offer or identity-theft scam?. Gattiker, U. E. (2004). The Information Security Dictionary. Levy, S. & Stone, B. (2005, September 5). Grand Theft Identity. Weisman, S. (2005). 50 Ways to protech your identity and your credit