Identity Theft

Identity Theft

Introduction

Identity theft leads to the disruption of lives whose identities have been stolen. Identity theft is commonly known as identity fraud or impersonation. Identity theft is the stealing of another person's identification with the intent of using that person's resources. Identity theft almost always leads to negative consequences such as the victim being required to pay all the debts that the perpetrator has incurred (Hammond, 2003).

With identity theft, someone act as if to be someone else by supercilious that person's identity in order to access possessions or to attain credit and benefits in that person's name. This term was created in 1964. On the other hand, it is not exactly possible to filch an identity. The identity theft victim can undergo unfavorable outcome if they are accountable for the perpetrator's proceedings. It occurs when your personally identifying information like name, credit card number, or social security number is used by someone without your permission to commend crimes or fraud. It can also be used to assist or support other crimes like terrorism, illegal immigration, surveillance and phishing (Hayward, 2004).

Discussion

Types of Identity theft (Hoffman & McGinley, 2009)

Identity theft has been divided into five categories by Identity Theft Resource Center:

Criminal identity theft

It means to posture another person when detained for an offense. When a criminal deceitfully classify himself as another person or individual to the police at the time of arrest, it is called as criminal identity theft. In some cases, criminals represent fake ID. It can become too difficult for the criminal identity theft victim to clear his/her record.

Financial identity theft

It means to use someone's identity for the purpose of obtaining goods, credits and services. Recently, this form of identity theft has become more common. It is more difficult to track. It involves combining the real SSN with the birthday and name excluding the one linked with the number.

Identity cloning

It means to use someone's information to take for granted that someone's identity in daily life. In this situation, the identity thief takes off someone's in order to obscure their own identity for the purpose of hiding from creditor, illegal immigration, becoming anonymous for personal reasons.

Medical identity theft

It means to use someone's identity to acquire drugs or medical care. Medical identity theft occurs when a person's name, and other identity information like insurance information is used to attain or false claim the medical goods or services. It can leads to inappropriate life threatening results by medical staff.

Child identity theft

It occurs when minor's SSN is used by someone else for the purpose of personal gain. That someone can be a friend, family member, or can be the stranger who targets the children. The SSN of children is very important because children do not have any information related to them. This can be undetected for many years. This problem is very common and it is growing by the time.

New account fraud

It means to use another's personal identity information to get hold of different services and products by taking advantage of that ...