Online Identity Theft
Online Identity Theft
Online identity theft is a form of fraud where a criminal impersonates another person by obtaining personal information through the Internet. Typically, criminals steal another’s identity for financial gain such as applying for loans or credit cards without the person’s knowledge. Information gained from online identity theft includes but is not limited too social security number, signature, name, address, phone number, credit card information etc. The government is making the consequences for online identity theft stiffer. Identity theft harbor many unethical uses that are becoming increasingly accessible to criminals.
Background- While computers and internet have given people new ways of accessing information, not everything about them have been positive. In fact, one of the fastest growing crimes in the online environment is online identity fraud. According to statistics, about ten percent of identity theft occurs online. Every time someone logs onto a computer, they are vulnerable to attacks from hackers, even with firewalls. The aftermath of being a victim of identity theft can be expensive and traumatic. Many people lose their good name. Criminals used to have to go “dumpster diving” or steal your mail in order to gain peoples personal information. Nowadays, with increased internet usage, people open themselves up for a variety of risks to be hacked. Through social media and online job and bank applications, people share an enormous amount of information with strangers online.
Types of identity theft- The most common forms of identity theft are listed below: • Financial Identity Theft- Most people who are victims of identity theft are robbed of their money. Financial identity theft occurs when someone gets a hold of your information and has access to your bank account. Thieves have the ability to wipe you’re an entire bank account within hours or apply for hundreds of credit cards and loans with the person’s name. These types of thefts are increased when people provide personal information while banking online. • Criminal identity Theft-This occurs when a criminal gives another person’s name and personal information, such as a Social Security Number, to a law enforcement officer during an investigation. In some cases, the victim may not know their identity was stolen. In situations like this, the victim may not know there is a warrant out for his/her arrest and could lose unemployment or banking privileges. Criminals who steal another’s identity use the information it to open new accounts impersonating the victim. Other examples of online identity theft include medical identity theft, identity cloning, business/commercial identity theft.
Causes- One way of obtaining information is by phishing. This involves sending spoof emails to people impersonating a business or institution. Spoof emails typically involve a user receiving an email to change his/her password after clicking the link. It takes the user to what appears to be a legitimate site; however it belongs to the thief. After the user enters his/her information, it is now in the hands of the criminal. Examples of this occur with online stores and financial merchants.
Effects- The effects of online identity theft are severe. People hesitate to use online banking, make financial transactions, and shop online. Identity thieves can cause financial and physiological damage. The financial damage can increase ones debt by thousands of dollars. Victims of identity theft claim they feel “violated” after having their identity stolen by an unknown person.
Prevention- In order to protect an identity, people need to protect their personal information, especially online. The most common information stolen online is account numbers, passwords, pin codes, and Social Security Numbers. The most effective way is to never post this information in an online environment. However, there are professional companies with proven strategies to help people detect online identity theft.
Ethics- It is a federal crime to “knowingly transfer, possess, or use without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person”. From credit card and Social Security Numbers stolen, to bank accounts hacked into, the government and media have made it clear that any form of identity theft is a crime. It is unacceptable and a threat to society. Everybody has a different moral scope but there is a point certain people cross the line. An individual is allowed to do what he or she pleases as long as it does not harm others in society. It is too far when a criminal hacks into another person’s account to steal personal information in order to use it for their own gain. In the process they deeply hurt the victim emotionally and possibly financially. People’s lives are ruined if all their money is stolen or they are unable to get a job because of an identity theft. With the increase in computers it is easier for people to act unethically more often when dealing with identity theft.
