Types of Identity Theft Explained

In the past 10 years new Types of Identity Theft have increased at a very rapid pace. Identity Thieves have become innovative and bold. There is no one that is safe from their attempt to steal your Identity for gain.

It’s important to understand fully the types of Identity Theft that are going on today so that you can be proactive and prepared to protect your Identity.

According to the National Institute of Justice there are seven (7) broad Types of Identity Theft

• Exploiting weakness in specific technologies and information systems.

• Financial scams.

• As a motive for other crimes (e.g., bribing employees to provide passwords).

• Facilitating other crimes.

• Avoiding arrest.

• Repeat victimization ("classic" identity theft).

• Organized identity theft.

Additionally, there are three (3) stages of Identity Theft

1. Acquisition of the identity – this is a type of Identity Theft done through theft, computer hacking, fraud, trickery, force, redirecting or intercepting mail, or even by legal means.

2. Use of Identity – the most common motivation is financial gain but sometimes a stolen identity can be used to avoid arrest or hide ones identity.

3. Discovery of identity theft – research would indicate that the longer it takes to discover the greater the loss to the victim. Credit card misuse maybe discovered quickly, however in other cases it could take as long as two (2) years to discover.

Common Categories of Types Identity Theft

• Business/ commercial identity theft- using another person's business name to obtain credit.

• Criminal Identity Theft- Posing as another when apprehended for a crime.

• Financial Identity Theft- Using another's identity to obtain goods and services.

• Identity Cloning- Using another's information to assume the individual’s identity in daily life.

• Medical Identity Theft- Using another's information to obtain medical car or drugs.

• Identity Theft In The Media- Stealing someone’s identity to receive the praise and attention of the victim’s achievements.

Additional Types of Identity Theft

Business Identity Theft – in these types of identity theft, the criminal targets business and corporations. Identity thieves steal information to use for direct financial gain.

Business Fraud Checklist – this is a checklist for your business to help prevent business fraud. Additionally there is additional list if you have become a business fraud victim.

Child Identity Theft – in these types of identity theft, it is done for the purpose of using the child’s identity to open up various accounts for the purpose of securing loans and or opening up credit card accounts.

Computer Identity Theft – this type of identity theft is a form of fraud where the identity thief uses a computer to steal or assume someone else’s identity for the purpose of access the victims credit and or bank accounts.

Credit Card Fraud - this type of fraud is a wide range term that includes both theft and fraud used for committing fraudulent transactions.

Criminal Identity Theft – these are very specific types of identity theft where the criminal gives the victims’ name or identification to law enforcement when arrested for a crime.

Cyber Identity Theft – this type of identity theft is when computers and other communication systems are used to seal electronic information.

Drivers License Identity Theft – this type of identity theft is similar to social security identity theft, where the identity thieves are stealing driver’s licenses for the purpose of using the victim’s drivers license to establish a legitimate identity.

Dumpster Diving – this is a technique where the victim’s trash is gone through for the purpose of obtaining personal information.

Elderly Identity Theft – elderly are easy targets for social security theft.

Email Hoax – this type of identity theft involves email activity where the sender address and other parts of the email have been altered and appear from another source, however the email is designed as fraud.

Investment Fraud – in this type of fraud where the victim is approached with the intent to steal their money and or assets in a number of schemes.

Mortgage Fraud – this type of identity theft fraud involves not only stealing a person’s identity but their house as well.

Identity Theft Online – this type of identity theft is where confidential information is obtained from the victim through a variety of methods.

Social Security Identity Theft – this type of identity theft is when someone knowingly acquires the victim’s social security card for the purpose of impersonating another person.

Medical Identity Theft – this type of identity theft involves a scheme where the victims insurance is sue used to make false claims.

Online Scams - this is a broad category of identity theft which includes Hacking and other types of scams.

Phishing Scams – this is a type of identity theft where an email is sent to a person falsely claiming to be a legitimate company and directing the person to a website for the purpose of updating personal information.

Stealing – this is the process of taking a person’s wallet or purse for criminal gain.

Passports – this type of identity theft is used for the purpose of establishing identity using the stolen passport.

Change of Address – this type of identity theft occurs when a identity thieve is able to forward your mail and as a result is able to obtain other personal information and use in various schemes.

Personal Information – this type of identity theft can occur with the criminal or thieve is able to obtain personal information regarding your identity and then use for various criminal purposes.

This list is a partial list of some of the more common schemes in Identity Theft. Identity-Theft-Answers.com will add others as we update our site.



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