To precisely define Identity Theft, one can refer to various sources but, what it all boils down to is that it occurs when a criminal steals another person’s name and other personal information to illegally use such fraudulently attained means of identification information for nefarious activities. It is an act of impersonation that uses another person’s personal information like a date of birth, Social Security number, address, and name as well as bank account information for illegal means. It is also co-opting of an individuals personal information without the individuals knowledge and consent and, using this information to purposely deceive others. It is a deliberate assumption of another person’s identity which is most often used to gain access to their finances or, implicate them in a crime. It is also used for illegal immigration, terrorism and espionage as well as for changing identity personally. These are a few of of the most used ways in which most people define ID theft.

Identity Theft First Defined in 1996

To define identity theft, one may look back to the year 1996 when it first came to the attention of the world and, was incorporated into American literary terminology. The Federal Trade Commission was greatly concerned by the criminal abuse of consumers’ means of identification through theft or other fraudulent means. To define identity theft, one has to realize that it is physically impossible to steal another person’s identity; however, stealing their means of identification is possible and, is now a part of a growing trend in white-collar crime in the US.

Some people prefer the definition of identity theft as meaning unlawful exploitation of their means of identification for unlawful purposes. Another line of thought, with regard to the definition of identity theft, proposes that the criminal actually deprives the owner of his or her identity when the thief replaces the victim’s identity with their own dubious reputation. A common thread one can see in defining Identity Theft is that it involves illegally acquiring the personal information of a victim in order to perpetrate impersonation of the victim’s identity.

One needs to define identity theft in all its different manifestations as the scheming minds of criminals can conceive of and put into action many clever schemes to dupe authorities as well as incriminate victims. Blackmail is also another instance of how identity theft may be used against unsuspecting victims. Once one has a clear definition of identity theft, half the battle against this criminal act will have been won.