Creating A New Identity How Far Can You Go 468276

Creating A New Identity How Far Can You Gocreating A New Identity E

Creating a New Identity (How Far Can You Gocreating A New Identity E

Creating a new identity explains how people use borrowed identities for fraud, including three main types: created, forged, and stolen. Created identities are established through legal paperwork, making the individual essentially that person. Forged identities involve minimal IDs created without official application through the government. Stolen identities involve taking over another person’s identity—living or deceased—to abuse their credit or personal data. The process of assuming a new identity can be complex, especially if the individual has a criminal record with fingerprints on record, which complicates the ability to completely conceal their identity from authorities.

This assignment requires research into the process of assuming a new identity in the United States and presents a step-by-step checklist illustrating how easily this can be exploited by identity thieves. The process involves collecting personal data, creating or forging identification documents, and possibly using stolen identities to bypass legal verification. Information available on individuals from public records, social media, and online databases can include full names, addresses, social security numbers, date of birth, employment history, financial records, and personal contact information.

A variety of websites are used to gather personal data, including search engines such as Google and social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Public record sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified provide access to contact details, addresses, and sometimes financial records. For more detailed or private data, data broker agencies such as Acxiom, CoreLogic, DataLogix, and Experian collect extensive personal information, often selling or sharing it with advertisers and other entities. These agencies compile data on citizens from various sources, including credit card companies, government records, and online activity, making it easier for potential malicious actors to assemble comprehensive profiles of targets.

The ease of creating a new identity heightens the risks of identity theft, fraud, and various criminal activities. Understanding the process highlights the importance of robust identity verification systems, improved cybersecurity, and greater public awareness about privacy settings and data security. Measures such as two-factor authentication, biometric verification, and regular credit monitoring can help prevent identity theft and mitigate its impact.

In conclusion, the process of assuming a new identity in the United States, whether legally or fraudulently, involves a series of steps that can be executed with minimal effort given access to personal data and the right documentation. The widespread availability of personal information online and through data brokers facilitates this process, making identity theft an accessible and growing concern. Combating this threat requires both technological solutions and public education to strengthen the security of individual identities and prevent malicious exploitation.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of assuming a new identity, particularly for fraudulent purposes, involves multiple steps that can be surprisingly accessible for those intent on deception. This essay explores the methods used to assume a new identity in the United States, providing a detailed checklist of the steps involved, the types of information obtainable about individuals online, and the role of data broker agencies in the collection and distribution of personal data.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Assuming a New Identity

1. Gather Personal Information: The first step involves collecting as much data as possible about the target individual. This includes names, addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth, employment details, and financial information. Online platforms like social media, public records websites, and search engines serve as primary sources of such data.

2. Identify Access Points: Next, the attacker determines the most accessible points to acquire or forge identification documents. This could involve hacking into databases, scouring public records, or purchase of stolen data from underground markets.

3. Acquire or Create Identification Documents: Depending on the desired level of legitimacy, the perpetrator may forge new identification cards or purchase pre-made fake IDs, or even legally create an identity through the legal process if they possess enough personal data and resources.

4. Bypass Verification Processes: This involves using the forged or stolen documents to pass identity verification checks for financial accounts, employment, or government services. More sophisticated criminals may use biometric data or other advanced verification circumvention techniques.

5. Use or Maintain the New Identity: Once established, the new identity is used for fraudulent activities such as opening bank accounts, applying for loans or credit cards, or engaging in illegal transactions.

This process demonstrates how accessible the methods are for organized or opportunistic identity thieves, given the abundance of personal data available online and via data brokers.

Types of Personal Data Found Online

Various public and private sources contain extensive personal information. These include:

- Full legal names, nicknames, aliases

- Addresses (current and previous)

- Social Security Numbers (SSNs)

- Date of birth

- Employment history and employer details

- Phone numbers and email addresses

- Financial account details and credit scores

- Family information

- Photographs and other multimedia

These data points are often interconnected, creating comprehensive profiles of individuals, which can be exploited by malicious actors.

Websites Used to Collect Personal Data

Individuals searching for personal information often turn to a host of online platforms:

- Search Engines: Google, Bing

- Social Media Platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

- Public Records Websites: Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius

- Government Databases: Public court records, voter registration records

- Financial Data Sites: Credit reporting agencies like Experian, Equifax, TransUnion

Such platforms provide varying degrees of access to personal data, often contingent upon privacy settings and subscription models.

Data Broker Agencies and Their Role

Data broker agencies collect personal information from different sources—public records, online activity, commercial transactions—and compile extensive profiles about citizens. Key agencies include Acxiom, CoreLogic, DataLogix, and Experian. These entities sell or share data with a broad range of clients, including marketing firms, insurers, and, unfortunately, cybercriminals.

These agencies gather data through multiple channels, including:

- Financial transaction records

- Insurance claims

- Employment and education records

- Online browsing behavior

- Purchase histories

Because of their broad data collection scope, these agencies create detailed dossiers that can be exploited for identity theft or fraud.

Implications for Cybersecurity and Privacy

The relative ease of data access and document forgery underscores the importance of proactive security measures. Individuals should be aware of privacy risks associated with oversharing on social media and should regularly monitor their credit reports for suspicious activity. Organizations adopting multi-factor authentication, biometric safeguards, and advanced encryption can significantly reduce vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, the process of assuming a new identity in the United States involves a sequence of practical steps facilitated by the widespread availability of personal data online and through data brokers. While the methods are accessible to those with malicious intent, awareness and technological safeguards can mitigate these risks. Addressing the vulnerabilities in identity verification and data privacy is essential to combating identity fraud and protecting individual identities in an increasingly digital world.

References

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• Harrison, P. (2019). Data Brokers and Consumer Privacy. Journal of Digital Privacy, 8(2), 112-120.
• Johnson, L. (2018). Social Media and Identity Theft Risks. Privacy & Data Security, 22(3), 45-50.
• O’Neil, C. (2016). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown Publishing Group.
• Rogers, S. (2021). The Mechanics of Identity Fraud. Proceedings of the Cybersecurity Conference, 35-42.
• Sullivan, M. (2022). The Role of Data Brokers in Modern Data Privacy. Data & Society Research Institute.
• Williams, R. (2017). Protecting Against Identity Theft. Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0014-identity-theft.pdf
• Yang, T. (2019). Digital Footprints and Privacy Risks. Journal of Information Security, 11(1), 60-67.
• Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2022). Digital Identity Guidelines. NIST Special Publication 800-63.