Identity theft is stealing personalinformation like social security number, credit card number or birthinformation helps identify a particular person. Predators use the informationto access the unsuspecting victim’s bank account, credit or even siphon awayretirement benefits leaving the poor old man in penury.
It is dangerous for the victim as all thecriminal offences the fraudster may commit using his identity would make himliable for punishment which can extend to a prison sentence unless he is provedinnocent.
Identity theft could be financial when someoneuses another’s identity to obtain goods and services. He could also pose assomeone else when apprehended for a crime which then makes it a criminalidentity theft.
Cloning another’s identity by usinginformation stolen through fraudulent means could lead to a business orcommercial identity theft. Usually credit is obtained using somebody else’sidentity and obviously utilizing his credit rating as well.
Terrorism, illegal immigration, espionage andblackmail are common crimes committed with stolen identities. Media identitytheft is impersonating others not for financial or economic benefits, but tosomehow take credit, praise and adulation for the victim’s achievements.
Nowadays more people are suffering in the United States & United Kingdom for identity thefts committed on them by fraudsters. Retirement benefits are being taken away using the real recipient’s identity and credit isavailed of by stealing the victim’s identity and piling him up with debts.
It is only when the financial institution smail or call up the unsuspecting victims, they know of the crime for they arebeing blamed. Only after proving themselves innocent do they stand a chance ofwashing off their guilt.
At times when identities are partially orcompletely fabricated, a synthetic identity theft occurs. Two identity theftsget committed when the fraudster uses someone’s real or a fabricated birthdetail and name with another victim’s social security number.
Very hard to track and misleading to creditorsas it appears as a new file or as a sub file on either person’s credit reportas the predator gets away with the credit. Consumers are affected as negativeinformation in sub files can impact their credit.
Regular reports from credit agencies can helpthe consumer spot any errors or anything fraudulent that he can notifyimmediately. But the most common crime affecting Americans from coast to coastis identity theft meant to steal their hard earned credits and life’s savings.
Even while withdrawing money from ATM’s therecould be someone peeping over the shoulder to note the password and pin number.Normally social security, debit and credit cards are carried in the wallet.
Online promo sites also lure unsuspecting victims with lucrative offers which require them also to part with some oftheir personal information. Usually, this goes out of the victim’s system orcomputer and is used by fraudsters to siphon away his money. But surprisinglyit has been found whenever a child’s identity has been stolen the usualperpetrator is the parent.
The human animal cannot be trusted for anything good except en masse. The combined thought and action of the whole people of any race, creed or nationality will always point in the right direction (Harry S. Truman)
