The identity of each individual is the most important thing for everyone. People do the best that they can possibly can in order to have a respectable identity that they can be very proud of. People work hard in order to be able to support their family and themselves. There are times that people are accused of a crime that they did not commit but evidences show that their name is the same as the name of the accused that results to putting innocent people in jail. Some credit cards are often used without the owner’s permission. These cases are a result of identity theft. Identity theft also known as identity fraud is when an individual uses the identification documents or personal information of another individual in order to mimic that person’s identity because of whatever reason. It is an act of stealing someone else’ identity to commit theft or fraud. In September of 2003, a survey made by the Federal Trade Commission estimated that there are about 10 million residents of United States became a victim of identity theft in the year 2002.

There are two types of identity theft: the stealing of identity to commit financial fraud, or criminal activities. The financial fraud is a type of identity theft that comprises bank fraud, mail fraud, credit card fraud, tax refund fraud, computer and telecommunications fraud, social program fraud and others. There are a total of 25 different types of financial fraud that is under the investigation of the United States Secret Service. Among the estimated 10,000 financial felony arrests made by the Secret Service agents in 1997, 94% of this is related to identity theft. Identity theft is usually committed in order to fund criminal enterprises. The criminal activities is a type of identity theft that comprises getting another person’s identity in order to be able to commit a crime, acquire special permits, enter a country, commit acts of terrorism, or hide one’s own identity. Crimes such as computer cyber crimes, organized crime, drug trafficking, alien smuggling as well as money laundering are usually related to theft identity.

Everyone is susceptible to become victims of identity theft. It is a crime that can victimize almost everybody especially those that readily gives important and confidential personal information to strangers. One common way of acquiring people’s personal information is through the internet. There is a new form of internet piracy which is called ‘phishing’ and is pronounced as “fishing”. It is a way of getting personal and confidential financial information such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security Numbers and other information relevant in order for these criminals to access checking accounts or to accumulate bills on credit cards. Usually, an email is sent to a victim and the message gives an impression that it came from a company with good reputation and persuades the victim to do business with them. Other email messages seem to come from government agencies such as the federal financial institution. Both messages will warn the victims of a problem that can be resolved by the victim’s immediate attention and persuade the victim to visit a fake web site that resembles the real web site of the company. In the said web site, several confidential information is asked to the victim in order to resolve the so called problem. Sometimes the email directs the victim into the actual web site of the company and uses a pop up window in order for the victim to supply the requested confidential financial information.

Other scams of identity theft are the credit repair scam. These criminals promise to provide help to individuals that are having problems with their credit accounts. They pose as companies that provide identity theft prevention services in order to take the important information from the victim to aid them in their criminal acts. Usually, information such as the maiden name of the victim’s mother, driver license number and credit and bank account numbers are often asked.

There are numerous scams that are currently victimizing unsuspecting individuals. Identity thefts are very aware in making their moves as realistic as possible in order to deceive more people. These criminals appear to be a helping hand but in reality they just want to get hold of your personal financial information to run up bills in your credit cards and solicit money for their personal gain. In order not to be victimized by different scams of identity theft one must be very careful in giving personal and financial information to others.