Identity Theft A Reference Handbook

This volume provides an overview of identity theft and examines issues that arise from it, such as financial losses, tax fraud, offshoring identities, and data breaches. It examines how the crime is perceived in various countries and includes a chronology, data, documents, biographical sketches of related individuals, resources, and a list of organizations, associations, and agencies. It also provides an examination of different forms of identity theft and its economic impact, including profiles of perpetrators and victims and coverage of current trends, security implications, prevention efforts, and legislative actions. Identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in America, and with the rise of the Internet, it has become a crime with no borders or boundaries. In 2007, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 800,000 identity theft and fraud complaints. But beyond stolen credit cards and IDs for a quick score, identity theft is very much a national security threat, Al Qaeda's training manual actually teaches it, and several of the 9/11 conspirators were able to execute their mission because they had successfully impersonated other people. What are the common forms of identity theft? Who are the most likely targets? What is law enforcement doing to counter a crime perpetrated not only by petty thieves and sophisticated con artists, but by terrorists, money-launderers, and those involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration? This work examines these questions and more. With the 1998 Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act as its starting point, this volume begins by explaining the federal, state, and global definitions of identity theft and how the lack of a standardized approach masks the true pervasiveness of the problem. In addition to addressing the crime's perpetrators, methods, and victims, the book also looks at what individuals, businesses, and the government are doing, and should consider doing, to curb the growth of this crime.