Identity Theft: Fastest Growing Crime

Identity theft is the most-costly and fastest growing crime in the world. Ident theft is a white-collar crime that became popular among criminal in today’s society. It accords when a criminal obtains someone’s personal information without them knowing, such as, their bank account or social security number, many people uses the internet as a productive and educational tool to stay connected and knowledgeable; and criminal uses it to gain access to peoples’ information. Social media is one of the few ways criminal get hold of people information since people use it for personal and business purposes. Despite the beneficial reasons, a lot of people became victims because they’re not aware that criminal can steal their identity through social media.
The rate of identity is increasing by the way people live their lives. Peoples’ personal information are becoming easier to access because of the process they used. Some of the ways we choose, make it easier for thieves to steal our information. For those who became a victim of identity theft are more likely to have financial issues. Identity theft can affect a person ability to maintain or get good credit score. Thousands of peoples’ personal information is at risk of identity theft each year. These alarming statistics demonstrate that identity theft may be the most frequent, costly and pervasive crime in the United States (Douglas, Britt, Palmer, Lubsen and Lodrick, 2012). People who are victim of identity theft is most likely to have financial issues. It is the type of crime which is quite lucrative and encouraged a lot of thieves to cheat the
To avert an identity thief from obtain your personal information from your dumpster or recycling bin, shred all insurance forms, credit card offers received in mail, change receipts, bank and check statement and copies of credit application. Phishing can be prevent by verify a source before sharing your credit or debit card, avoid pop-up emails, avoid using easy access information; and don’t give your personal information to any company through mail or over the internet without knowing who you’re doing business with. To avoid getting caught the traditional way, lock all personal in a safe place and secure purses and wallets, travel with information needed. Medical identity theft can be prevent by sharing health information only with trusted providers and keeping copies of health-care records in case of a dispute (Prevention of medical theft, 2008). Identity thieves also uses phone call their victims as another way to fain information. Contact you financial institution directly to verify personal finances and avoid giving it out over the phone. As people become aware of scams, fraudster change their methods of scamming and come up with new methods (how to detect, 2014). The three D’s strategy are very helpful. Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information, detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring financial account and bill statement, and defend