Identity theft ? also known as ID theft, identity fraud and ID fraud ? describes a type of fraud where a criminal adopts someone else?s identity in order to profit illegally. It is one of the fastest growing forms of fraud in many developed countries.
In the UK identity theft is increasing at the rate of 500% each year and, according to Which Magazine, 25% of the population have either suffered from identity theft or know someone who has.
In the USA, a report issued by the Better Business Bureau revealed that, in 2004, over 9 million Americans became victims of identity theft with the total sum defrauded being estimated at $52 Continue reading