Identity Theft

Identity theft, also known as identity fraud, occurs when an individual’s personally identifying information is used without permission and/or knowledge by someone else (often a stranger). It is a form of impersonation that enables someone to commit fraud and generally results in financial harm to the individual and financial gain to the impersonator. During the past 15 years, the increasing amount of personal information available and easily accessed on the Internet has made identity theft a significant concern.

A person’s identity refers to that information that distinguishes him or her from other people. It can encompass a person’s accomplishments and is closely connected to reputation. A person’s identity relates to information that exists, whereas a person’s reputation reflects opinions about a person’s identity.

Particularly in the context ...