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Identity theft

Encyclopedia : I : ID : IDE : Identity theft

Identity theft (or identity fraud, iJacking) occurs when someone wrongfully acquires or uses another person's personal data, typically for their own financial gain. [What Are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud?], United States Department of Justice, retrieved June 30,2006 Sometimes it is referred to as "identity fraud" since the criminal impersonates rather than 'removes' the victims identity.

Most commonly, this term is used in relation to credit card fraud although mortgage fraud and other kinds of financial fraud are common. Less commonly, it is used to enable illegal immigration, terrorism or espionage. It may also be a means of blackmail if activities undertaken by the thief in the name of the victim would have serious consequences for the victim.

Techniques for obtaining information include :

Identity theft is not possible without serious breaches of privacy. If corporate or government organisations do not protect consumer privacy, client confidentiality and political privacy the execution of identity theft becomes much easier for criminals.[Internet Identity Theft - A Tragedy for Victims], Software and Information Industry Association, retrieved June 30,2006

Contents

Spread and impact of identity theft

Surveys in the USA from 2003 to 2006 showed a decrease in the total number of victims but an increase in the total value of identity fraud to US$56.6 billion in 2006. The average fraud per person rose from $5,249 in 2003 to $6,383 in 2006.[Recent Surveys and Studies], Privacy Clearing House, retrieved June 30,2006

The 2003 survey from the [Identity Theft Resource Centre] found that :

In a widely publicised account [Verbal Testimony by Michelle Brown], July 2000, U.S. Senate Committee Hearing on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information -- "Identity Theft: How to Protect and Restore Your Good Name", Michelle Brown, a victim of identity fraud, testified before a U.S. Senate Committee Hearing on Identity Theft. Ms. Brown testified that : "over a year and a half from January 1998 through July 1999, one individual impersonated me to procure over $50,000 in goods and services. Not only did she damage my credit, but she escalated her crimes to a level that I never truly expected: she engaged in drug trafficking. The crime resulted in my erroneous arrest record, a warrant out for my arrest, and eventually, a prison record when she was booked under my name as an inmate in the Chicago Federal Prison."

In Australia identity theft was estimated to be worth between AUS$1billion and AUS$4 billion per annum in 2001. [Identity Crime Research and Coordination], Australasian Centre for Policing Research, retrieved June 30,2006

In the United Kingdom the Home Office reported that identity fraud costs the UK economy £1.7 billion [What is Identity theft?],Home Office,retrieved June 30,2006 although privacy groups object to the validity of these numbers, arguing that they are being used by the government to push for introduction of national ID cards. [[Citing sources citation needed]]

Confusion over exactly what constitutes identity theft has lead to claims that statistics may be exaggerated. [Identity Theft Over-Reported],Bruce Schneier, retrieved June 30,2006

Legal response

In the United Kingdom personal data is protected by the Data Protection Act. The Act covers all personal data which an organisation may hold, including names, birthday and anniversary dates, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.

Under English law, the deception offences under the Theft Act 1968 increasingly contend with identity theft situations. In R v Seward (2005) EWCA Crim 1941[R v Seward (2005) EWCA Crim 1941] the defendant was acting as the "front man" in the use of stolen credit cards and other documents to obtain goods. He obtained goods to the value of £10,000 for others who were unlikely ever to be identified. The Court of Appeal considered sentencing policy for deception offences involving "identity theft" and concluded that a prison sentence was required. Henriques J. said at para 14:"Identity fraud is a particularly pernicious and prevalent form of dishonesty calling for, in our judgment, deterrent sentences."

In Australia privacy law is the responsibility of the Office of the Privacy Commssioner. [Privacy Comissioner], retrieved June 30,2006

In the USA dealing with identity theft is the responsiblity of the Federal Trade Commission. [Federal Trade Commission], retrieved June 30,2006

Punishments of identity theft in the United States include:

In popular culture

The public fascination with impostors has long had an effect on popular culture and extends to modern literature.

The story of Michelle Brown has been made into a film. [Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story (2004)]

In Frederick Forsyth's novel The Day of the Jackal the would-be assassin of General de Gaulle steals three identities. Firstly, he assumes the identity of a dead child by obtaining the child's birth certificate and using it to apply for a passport. He also steals the passports of a Danish clergyman and an American tourist, and disguises himself as each of those persons in turn.

In the 1995 movie The Net (film) Sandra Bullock plays a computer consultant whose life is taken over with the help of computer assisted identity theft.

Precautions against identity theft

The following precautions are recommended by the US Federal Trade Commission [FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT], Federal Trade Commission, retrieved June 30,2006 :

The following have also been recommended [[Citing sources citation needed]] :

The following are specific to the USA :

See also

References

External links

 

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