Identity Theft

Identity theft involves the nonconsensual, unlawful use of another person’s personally identifying information such as name, date of birth, and Social Security number. It is one of the fastest growing and pervasive crimes in the United States, and the risk of victimization continues to increase as the world becomes more dependent on technology and virtual record keeping. As businesses and consumers rely more on online banking, the use of online payment systems, and credit accounts with numerous retailers, as well as the electronic storage of documents, the chances of exposure to identity theft increase. Although identity theft is often difficult to fully assess, precautions can be taken by individuals and businesses to prevent the theft of information and/or minimize the fraudulent use of that information. ...