Identity Theft

Identity theft is a major crime that happens to millions of people every year. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months and years trying to clean up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. There are many different types of identity theft and ways to deal with it. Identity theft is very serious and stolen identities are used to commit many other crimes. Some of the specific types of identity theft besides personal identity theft, include tax related identity theft, business related identity theft, child identity theft, and medical identity theft. Identity theft can cause serious challenges for individuals and businesses and there are several steps to take to help clear up identity theft as well as steps to follow to prevent identity theft from occurring again. According to the Transunion website, “Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The number of identity theft incidents has reached 10 million a year and every minute about 19 people fall victim to identity theft”(TransUnion LLC). Identity theft is a very serious problem and unfortunately is happening to many people everyday. According to a book, “Take Charge” written by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Secret Service, “The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act enacted by Congress in October 1998 makes identity theft a federal crime. Violations of the federal crime are investigated by federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Social Security Administrator’s Office of the Inspector General. Federal Identity theft cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice” (U.S.S.S. 491). Under the law, “identity theft take places when someone knowingly transfers, possesses or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet or in connection with, any unlawful activity that