Identity theft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Identity theft - Essay Example Personal data like Social security number, credit card number, bank account, etc. are not unique like for instance fingerprints and can be misused when they fall into the wrong hands. In the United States many people have suffered huge losses on account of unauthorized persons withdrawing funds from their bank or financial accounts and very often these persons who have stolen the identity have committed crimes and run huge debts using the victim’s identity. In short a criminal can use an individual’s identity to commit a wide range of crimes such as fraudulent withdrawal of money from banks, apply for credit cards and loans, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or buy goods or services which might not have been possible if the criminal had used his name hurry respond to "spam"  ­ or unsolicited email  ­ that request identifying data in the pretext of offering some benefits. Here people do not realize that in many of such cases the person who has requested for personal information has no intention of passing on any benefit to them. However Internet is not the only source. Misplaced or stolen wallets containing credit cards or other personal information, stolen laptops again containing personal data can prove easy targets for identity thefts. To prevent any kind of fraudulent use of one’s identity one must have a security policy and certain guidelines in place about what personal information should not be given to third parties especially through electronic means like the email. The guidelines to be followed are: 1) There should be no personal or financial details in any of the emails sent. 2) Open only those mails that have come from known persons or trusted parties. 3) All suspicious mails should be reported to the conce rned authorities. 4) Online passwords must be changed frequently and passwords that can be easily be hacked, such as those related to birthdays and