Fighting Against Identity Theft Crimes - Conclusion

Identity theft is a crime – a serious one. It is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a considerable fine, and restitution for the monies stolen.

It can be a very scary crime as well. Identity theft is one of the most insidious forms of white-collar crime. In a traditional fraud scheme, prospective victims are contacted directly by criminals who use lies and deception to persuade the victims to part with their money.

Identity theft, however, requires no direct communication between criminal and victim. Simply doing things that are part of everyday routine -- charging dinner at a restaurant or books at an e-commerce Website, submitting required personal information to employers or government agencies, throwing away catalogs received in the mail, or just having casual contact with people – may give identity thieves enough of an opportunity to get unauthorized access to personal data and commit identity theft.

Moreover, identity theft is not a crime committed for its own sake. Criminals engage in identity theft to further and facilitate many other types of criminal offenses, including fraud.

The Federal Department of Justice is taking identity theft crime very seriously. They regard identity theft as a serious crime problem that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Because anyone – even people who handle their personal data with great care – can become a victim of identity theft, federal prosecutors throughout the country will continue to make use of the identity theft offense and other criminal statutes, and to work closely with the FTC and other agencies, to combat it effectively.

You CAN protect yourself by taking the steps outlined in this book. The next page will provide you with a form to get together your information. Use this form right now – even if you aren’t a victim – and keep it in a safe place. It can be a valuable tool in organizing your personal information in general.

Above all, be proactive when it comes to your information. If you take steps to protect yourself right now, you won’t have to worry. You’ll gain piece of mind without that new motorcycle you didn’t buy or that $5,000 loan you didn’t take out!

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