Identity theft

Many consumers today are victims of identity theft, so much so, that some state legislators in the United States have passed legislation prohibiting the use or disclosure of an person's SSN during the recruitment process. Identity theft is constantly mentioned in the news. Companies should be educated about identity theft so their own anti-fraud activities are not jeopardized.

Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, makes the theft of personal information with the intent to commit an unlawful act a federal crime in the United States with penalties of up to 25 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Identity thieves steal the following types of personally...