Define

Identity Theft

 

Identity theft sometimes called, “iJacking”, is a crime and is now considered a stand-alone crime. 

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACT Act or ACT), amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and established the requirements for consumer reporting agencies, creditors, and others to help curb identity theft. 

It was the Commission (FTC) that finalized the rule and established the definition for the term: “identity theft.” 

The Commission also established definitions for: “identity theft report”, “active duty alert”, and “appropriate proof of identity”. 

Before, I present the Commission’s definition (although, it may appear simple) it is in fact; masterfully crafted. Each word is articulately accurate to establish a definition effective for aiding its victims of identity theft and prosecuting the perpetrators. 

The definition for “Identity Theft” becomes effective December 1, 2007 and is defined as: “a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority”. 

Identity theft is defined in sparse terms to make it easier for the prosecutors to conduct their cases; however, this also makes it difficult to define identity theft consistently. And this lack of consistency of a universal definition, because of its complexity to commit, describe and escape; offers fraudsters their opportunity. The further lack of universal consistency in defining identity theft impedes scientific research on identity theft which intern hinders interpreting these findings on that research. 

Few understand or have little or no idea how this type of crime is committed. If you really don’t understand what something is, how do you defend yourself? This is what makes it easier for the criminal to perpetrate the crime. There are many variable criminal uses or abuses of another’s identity or identify-related factors and two recognized categories that these abuses fall under are “true name” and “account take over”. 

Another definition of “identity theft” included in the FTC Identity Theft Survey Report, credited by the financial services industry and specific to that industry reads as follows to include the “misuse of existing non-credit card account or account number.” (FTC (2003)) 

More about “Identity Theft”…