Identity Theft: Fastest Growing Crime
Tracy A. Baggett
DeVry University
Keller Graduate School of Management

Identity Theft; Fastest Growing Crime
Imagine waking up to news that you had accumulated hundreds of thousands in debt after someone used your identity for unauthorized purchases. This is exactly what happened to John Harrison, a Connecticut salesman. Jerry Phillips, the twenty year old who stole John Harrison’s identity went on a shopping spree that included purchases to Home Depot, JC Penny, Sears, Lowes and even bought two cars from Ford, a Kawasaki and a Harley. In just four months Jerry Phillips was able to accumulate $ 265,000 in purchases.
Jerry Phillips was later arrested and imprisoned for three years. He even went as far as to apologize to John Harrison saying, “Sorry. You know, I wish I could make it up to you.” John Harrison felt that the nightmare was over with the criminal behind bars and even verbally acknowledging his regret over the crime. But despite all of this and a letter from the Justice Department confirming that John Harrison was a victim, he still found himself owing $140,000 to different creditors.
How about waking up in the middle of the night realizing that federal agents just entered your home with guns pointed certainly qualifies as one of the most horrifying ordeals in anyone’s life. This is exactly what happened to Carlos Gomez, a UPS driver accused of being involved in a million dollar money laundering operation headed by a Wachovia bank employee.
Carlos spent close to two weeks in prison and another seven months under house arrest before federal prosecutors realized it was a mistake. After spending nearly two weeks in detention, Carlos was released on a $100,000 bond. He resumed work for UPS but was only allowed to work during the day and remained under house arrest during the night Consumer Advocates Group (2015).
Problem Analysis
Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in America. It also has the fastest-growing number of complaints filed by consumers with the Federal Trade Commission. According to the Department of Justice, over 17 million people were victims of identity theft in the United States in 2014. The most common forms of identity theft are shown below in Table 1 which clearly shows primary targets are Government documents/benefits and credit cards. | Table 1: The Most Common Forms of Identity Theft | | | | | | Government/documentation/benefits fraud | 14% | | | Credit Card fraud | 17% | | | Phone or utilities fraud | 14% | | | Bank fraud | 8% | | | Employment-related fraud | 6% | | | Loan fraud | 4% | | | | | | | This year, the FTC reported the identity theft cases made up 14% of its more than two million 2013 consumer complaints. | | | | Source: FTC's Consumer Sentinel network, "In The Spotlight: Identity Theft--Facts and Figures, "National Criminal Justice Reference Service, January-December 2013., www.ncjrs.gov/spotlight/identity_theft/facts.html | | |

One reason for the increase in identity theft may be that consumers often become victims of identity theft without having any direct contact with the identity thieves is simply by doing things that are part of everyday routine – using their credit card or debit card and charging dinner at a restaurant, using purchase gasoline, groceries, or purchasing items online, or submitting personal information to employers and various levels of government – consumers may be leaving or exposing their personal data where identity thieves can access and use it without the consumers’ knowledge or permission. Identity thieves can get confidential information the old fashion way, by searching through dumpsters, garbage cans, breaking into businesses, obtaining credit reports fraudulently, etc. However, the sophisticated cyber criminals are using technology to commit their crimes.
Solution
Regardless how identity theft happens, it is a serious crime and could take years to reverse the impact. Identity theft can destroy your finances, your credit, as well as your personal identity forever. To protect yourself against identity theft consumers need to understand how identity thieves work, how to protect their personal information and learn how to prevent it. Taking proactive steps in protecting your identity is critical.
Some may argue that they will never become a victim of identity theft because they don’t have much money or don’t have many credit cards, but there’s a growing number of people that fall victim to identity theft every year. Without an identity theft prevention plan, you are merely falling victim to the “oh, that would never happen to me” mistake.
Others may argue there’s nothing you can do to stop identity theft so just don’t worry about it. The risk is too high not to take preventative steps and use common sense, so this may not be the best argument if you consider the risk.
My research will show the dangers of identity theft as well as provide consumers with a more up to date, prevention guide on how to better protect their identity and minimize the risk of becoming a victim. Properly protecting your personal and confidential information is critical in minimizing the risk or preventing becoming a victim.
Individuals can reduce their risk of being a victim of identity theft by using common sense and being more proactive. Identity thieves and cyber criminals are getting more sophisticated every day which requires everyone to be educated about the risk and what can be done to reduce the risk. Below are steps you can take to minimize your risk and possibly prevent identity theft. The information is categorized in a way to help guide consumers through the various ways to protect and secure their information.

SECURING INFORMATION OFFLINE
When possible shred any documentation, receipts, statements, including your personal information. Bank statement, utility bills, and other documents containing your name, account numbers, address, birthdate, social security number, and other personal information should never be thrown in the trash Federal Trade Commission (2015). * People should not throw away bills and other documents that contain sensitive information. Bank statements, utility bills, and other documents that contain your personal information should never be thrown in the garbage. Burn or shred these document. Certain documents need to be retained for tax and other purposes. Also, shred any kind of financial solicitations you get in the mail, especially those credit card offers containing blank checks. * Monitor your accounts for unusual activity. If you see a change in your account which you make, it’s time to change your password and report the activity immediately. * Monitor credit and bank accounts closely for unusual activity. Checking your credit card and debit card statements online on a daily basis is a good way to limit the damage that fraudsters can do to your accounts. While you might typically wait for your monthly credit card statement to comb through charges. If your card has been compromised, your issuer can shut down your card and send you a new one. * Setup alerting on your credit cards and bank accounts. Some banks and credit card companies have a way to get notifications of suspected fraud activities. * Use your credit card, not your debit card. Debit cards are not good to use for purchases because it pulls the money directly out of your bank account. Credit cards come with more protection. * Monitor or freeze your credit if your data is hacked. If your data is breached as part of a larger attack on a retailer or company that has your personal details, you'll want to monitor your credit even more closely going forward. You can contact the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) directly Federal Trade Commission (2015).

SECURING INFORMATION ONLINE: * Limit posting personal information online. Your name should be enough to reveal your identity to people who actually know you. Posting your home address, telephone number, email address, and other personal information all in one place can make it very easy for thieves to duplicate your identity. As much as possible avoid sharing personal details publicly, especially your bank information and social security number. * Passwords need to vary to avoid getting hacked. It is not a good idea to use the same email and password for all account. A lot of people make this mistake, which only enables thieves to access more of their accounts. Using the same email and password for all of your social media profiles may seem acceptable but with the prevalent security breaches online, it’s not a risk worth taking. Mix and match your email and passwords for all of your online accounts. Make sure your passwords are not easy to figure out. * Guard your login credentials. If anyone online asks for your login ID or password for any reason, don’t share it. If you know the person and the reason for asking your ID number is valid, you can meet somewhere and share information there. However, ID numbers are only needed for particular transactions, so you should be wary if anyone asks you for it. * Limit your personal information on social media. What you share can be used against you, especially if it’s accessible to the public. Identity thieves can create a brand new account and use your name, photos, and other updates to make their accounts look legitimately yours. Likewise, if you always post where you’re going or what you’re doing, the thief can take the plot to the next level and find an opportunity to steal from your home. * Beware of emails that contain links or unsolicited phone calls. A common tactic cyber criminal’s use is to send victims an email that appears to be from a legitimate source, like a popular retailer, which contains an altered website address. Anyone who clicks on the link is then sent to a fake site designed to collect personal information. * Beware of phishing emails. If you get a promo email from what appears to be a large retailer or even your bank asking you to enter your credit card or account information, be care it is not a phishing scam. This is how they get your credit card or account number. Ignore this email and login to your account directly to validate. Or, just call the financial institution to validate the request. Phishing, or the practice of sending out fraudulent emails soliciting financial information or getting users to click on virus-laden links or attachments, is a growing identity theft threat. * Avoid phone call scams. If you receive a phone call from a marketer asking for information or someone claiming to be from your bank who wants to check a fraudulent charge, hang up and call the number on the bank of your card. That way, you can make sure you are speaking to your financial provider and not an impersonator. * Shopping Online. Whether you're shopping on your phone, tablet or computer, double-check that you're on the correct website or app. Before checking out and entering your credit card information, you should check that there is a "lock" symbol on the left side of the website address, which confirms it's a secure site. * Be careful with unsecured Wi-Fi. It may be convenient to do online banking at a cafe or to keep your home Wi-Fi network unsecured to avoid typing a password, but criminals have become increasingly adept at intercepting unsecured Wi-Fi communications. Don't do banking or look up financial accounts on unsecure Wi-Fi. Others who are there on the same network can potentially gain access to your information. To protect yourself, turn on Wi-Fi security and put a password on your home Wi-Fi network.

SECURING SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION:
Once someone has your Social Security number you have to keep looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life because that number will not be changed by the S.S. agency. Therefore, it’s wise to limit access to your SSN whenever possible. While the potential sources of SSNs are vast and accessible, you can take steps to keep your SSN out of the hands of potential thieves Federal Trade Commission (2015).
The Privacy Act states that you cannot be denied a government benefit or service if you refuse to disclose your SSN unless the disclosure is required by federal law, or the disclosure is to an agency that has been using SSNs before January 1975, when the Privacy Act went into effect. There are other exceptions as well.
If you are asked to give your SSN to a government agency and no disclosure statement is included on the form, you should complain to the agency and cite the Privacy Act of 1974.

* Use substitute numbers for identification whenever possible. States are no longer allowed to use Social Security numbers for driver's license identification numbers. Also, many colleges and universities have also begun generating random identification numbers for students, faculty and staff. Many private companies will also use alternative identification numbers if you are insistent. * Never give your Social Security number in email or on unencrypted websites. Only give your Social Security number over the phone if you are absolutely certain the information is required and the recipient is legitimate. If you receive a phone call or an email message asking for your Social Security number, contact the company or agency directly before giving out any information. * Don't display your full birthdate and hometown together on social networking sites. Identity thieves can use this information to guess the first five numbers of your Social Security number. If you were born after 1988, when parents were first required to obtain Social Security numbers for newborns, it may be possible to guess your entire Social Security number from your birthdate and hometown alone. * Don't use your full or partial birthdate or Social Security number as a password online or at an ATM. Identity thieves can use malware, spyware or Trojans to steal the information. If any of your passwords contains this information, change your password(s) immediately. * Make a photocopy of any card that displays your Social Security number. Black out part of the number. Carry the photocopy instead of the actual card. You may have to show your original card once to the agency that provided it so they can make their own copy
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5557002_protect-social-security-number.html * Should I disclose my Social Security number over the Internet? When you use the Internet, you may find Web sites that require your SSN when, for example, you apply for a credit card online or seek an insurance quote. We advise that you take extra precautions to determine that your personal data is transmitted securely and that it’s stored safely by the online business. Make sure you have a firewall and the latest anti-virus and spyware software installed on your computer. * There are several steps you can take to protect your Social Security number.
Any personal information that can't be easily changed, such as a Social Security number or a mother's maiden name, should never be used for authentication, said Adam Dolby, vice president of business development at Oslo, Norway-based Encap Security, which specializes in security for the banking and retail sectors.
People should not carry Social Security card in your purse or wallet. In fact, don't carry your card in anything that can easily be stolen. Instead, memorize the number and put the card in a safe.
People should not email a Social Security number. Most email messages can be read in transmission. Instead, phone the person you're contacting, and get him or her on the line — don't leave a voicemail containing the SSN.
People should not store electronic documents containing Social Security numbers on your computer, your smartphone or a cloud-storage drive. If you absolutely have to, then encrypt those files and folders so that information-hungry malware can't read them Federal Trade Commission (2015).

SECURE YOUR MOBILE DEVICES:

* Get the latest anti-virus and anti-malware software. Increasingly, identity thieves are using viruses and harmful programs known as malware to steal Americans' financial information, says Michael McKeown, supervisory special agent, FBI Cyber Division. * Mobile verification. Gmail, Facebook, Twitter and other select networks have mobile verification that notifies you via SMS if your account was accessed in a suspicious place, like abroad or in a different state. The person who logged in will also be asked for a verification number which he or she won’t be able to access since they don’t have your mobile phone. * Secure passwords in a secret place. Using multiple passwords can make it hard for you to remember all of them, but you can save a copy in a secure location. Instead of saving them on your computer, write your passwords down in a small notebook which you keep safely in your home. You can also write them in unusual places like at the back of your favorite book.

Malware and anti-virus programs can enter your personal computer in several different ways, the most common being email with links or attachments that when clicked on, install malware on your machine. From there, they can record keystrokes to mine passwords, hijack online banking sessions and probe your PC for financial information.
Beside keeping anti-virus and anti-malware software up to date, another way to prevent yourself from being hurt by malware is to keep the financial information on your PC limited. Consumers should decline when asked to save their password when logging on to a financial site Federal Trade Commission (2015).

WHAT TO IN THE EVENT OF IDENTITY THEFT: * Contact your bank: Call your bank and ask them to remove any fraudulent charges that have accrued on your accounts. * Call a credit bureau: Contact one of the three U.S. credit bureaus and have them place a 90 day fraud alert on your account. This way, businesses will be required to call before opening a new line of credit in your name. The credit bureau you call is required by law to notify the two other credit bureaus. Also, that the fraudulent information be removed. * File a police report: File a report with the police in the location the crime occurred. * Consider a credit freeze: You can activate a credit freeze on your account, which will prevent anyone from checking your credit score or opening new credit in your name. However, this can take a few days to lift, so if you’re in the midst of applying for loans or buying a house then you might not want to do this. * Review your credit reports: If you think you’ve become a victim of identity theft, contact each credit reporting agency – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – and request copies of your credit report. Review each one carefully and report anything that looks suspicious. If you subscribe to an identity theft protection service, see if they offer victim assistance Federal Trade Commission (2015).

The three national credit agencies may be contacted directly at: Equifax | TransUnion | Experian | P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-800-685-1111 | P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1-800-888-4213 | P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742 |

Below are some of the identity theft protection services. Identity Theft Protection Service | Website | Identity Guard | http://www.identityguard.com | Identity Force | https://secure.identityforce.com | TrustedID | https://www.trustedid.com | AARP | https://www.aarpidprotection.com | LifeLock | https://store.lifelock.com | Privacy Guard | https://offer.privacyguard.com | myFICO | https://www.freecreditreport.com | Metlife Defender | https://metlifedefender.com/ | IDFreeze | https://www.trustedid.com |

Conclusion
Identity Theft is a serious, criminal issue impacting millions of people every year. The FBI and Interpol are forging closer ties in combating organized crime, including Cybercrime. Due to ongoing security breaches, companies are placing a greater focus on addressing identity theft and cyber security issues as it relates to customer and employee confidential information. This increased effort is not enough and individuals need to educate themselves and follow the some recommended guidance to protect their personal information and minimize the risk of being a victim of identity theft Interpol (2015).

References
Barton, L. (2015, November). Year of Preventing Identity Crime: Identity Theft Tips for College Students. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1626&issue_id=102008
Consumersadvocate.org (2015).
Retrieved from http://www.consumersadvocate.org/id-theft-protection/stolen-identity
Department Of Justice, Identity Theft. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/identity-theft/identity-theft-and-identity-fraud
EMV Credit Cards (2015).
Retrieved from http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/emv-faq-chip-cards-answers-1264.php
FDIC (2015). Identity Theft, Frauds, and Scams Basics.
Retrieved from https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/assistance/protection/IdTheft.html
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Filing a Complaint with the IC3.
Retrieved from http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Federal Trade Commission, FTC Complaint Center.
Retrieved from https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
Federal Trade Commission, Identity Theft.
Retrieved from https://www.identitytheft.gov/#what-to-do-right-away
Federal Trade Commission, Identity Theft, Recovering from Identity Theft.
Retrieved from http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
Federal Trade Commission, SCAM Alerts. (2015).
Retrieved from http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts
Grant, K. (2015, July). Identity theft victims: You might know the culprit.
Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/21/identity-theft-victims-may-know-the-culprit.html
Harrell, E. (2015, September). Victims of Identity Theft, 2014 U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/vit14.pdf
How to Deal with a Security Breach https://www.privacyrights.org/how-to-deal-security-breach How to keep you information secure.
Retrieved from http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure
Huffman, M. (2015). Consumer Affairs. Identity Theft News.
Retrieved from http://www.consumeraffairs.com/identity-theft-news
Lake, L. (2015, November 13). Clicking for support could cost you. Consumer Education Specialist, Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved from http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/clicking-support-could-cost-you
Morad, R. (2015 September 11). Fake IDs Leading to Identity Theft. Retrieved From https://www.lifelock.com/education/alerts/fake-ids-leading-to-identity-theft
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (2015, October). My Social Security Number - How Secure Is It?
Retrieved from https://privacyrights.org/fs/fs10-ssn.htm

Rashid F. (2014, May 7). How to Protect Your Social Security Number, Tom’s Guide Retrieved from http://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-protect-social-security-number,news-18741.html
Statistic Brain. (2015). Identity Theft / Fraud Statistics.
Retrieved from http://www.statisticbrain.com/identity-theft-fraud-statistics/
USAGOV. (2015). Identity Theft.
Retrieved from https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft