Cyber Crime Chapter 5 Objectives: Understand The Difference ✓ Solved

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Understand the difference between identity theft and identity fraud. Explore the five types of identity theft/fraud. Discuss the virtual and Internet methods in which computer criminals steal identities. Develop a knowledge of the crimes committed due to identity theft. Identity Theft involves the illegal use or transfer of an individual’s personal identification information. Identity Fraud refers to illegal activities based on the fraudulent use of identifying information of a real or fictitious person. Types of identity theft/fraud include assumption of identity, theft for employment or border entry, virtual identity theft/fraud, and credit identity theft/fraud. The scope and victimology of identity theft reveal increased incidents, evolving methods, and significant financial and emotional impacts on victims. Physical methods include mail theft, dumpster diving, theft of computers, bag operations, and insider threats. Virtual methods involve phishing, spoofing, pharming, advance-fee fraud, spyware, and malicious software designed to deceive or steal information. Crimes facilitated by identity theft follow a four-phase process: procuring identifiers, creating breeder documents, establishing false identities, and employing those identities in criminal acts such as fraud and scams.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Cybercrime has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the digital age, with identity theft representing one of the most concerning and financially damaging facets of cybercrime. Understanding the nuances between different forms of identity-related crimes and the methods criminals employ is essential for developing effective defenses and legal responses. This paper explores the distinctions between identity theft and identity fraud, categorizes the various types of these crimes, examines the methods used by cybercriminals, and evaluates the broad scope and impact of these offenses on victims and society.

Distinction Between Identity Theft and Identity Fraud

At the core of cyber-related identity crimes are two key concepts: identity theft and identity fraud. Identity theft refers to the illegal use or transfer of an individual’s personal identification information, such as social security numbers, driver’s licenses, or bank account details. It involves the unauthorized acquisition of personal data, often through physical or digital means. Conversely, identity fraud pertains to the active use of stolen or fictitious identity data to commit unlawful activities—such as opening new credit accounts, obtaining employment fraudulently, or conducting illegal transactions—thereby exploiting the stolen identity for personal gain (Crumpler, 2015).

This distinction underscores the progression from mere data theft to active criminal intent tied to the data. Both types can have devastating consequences for victims, including financial loss, damage to reputation, and emotional distress. Moreover, distinguishing between theft and fraud informs law enforcement strategies targeting prevention, detection, and prosecution.

Classification of Identity Theft and Fraud

The various types of identity theft and fraud can be categorized based on the method and purpose. Assumption of identity involves the perpetrator adopting all facets of a victim’s life, typically in the rarest form of theft (Smith & Lee, 2017). Theft for employment or border entry involves using stolen or fictitious personal information to gain unauthorized employment or cross borders. Specific documents targeted include alien registration cards, visas, passports, and border crossing permits (Federal Trade Commission [FTC], 2011).

Virtual identity theft or fraud has expanded with the growth of the internet. Criminals create fraudulent online personas or impersonate individuals for activities such as online dating, role-playing, accessing illicit content, or conducting harassment and stalking. These virtual crimes often serve as a precursor or supplement to other forms of identity theft (Wang, 2019). Additionally, credit identity theft involves the unauthorized use of stolen financial data to establish new credit accounts or transfer funds, complicating financial recovery for victims (Javelin Strategy & Research, 2012).

Methods Used by Cybercriminals

The methods employed by cybercriminals are diverse, evolving with technological advancements. Physical methods include mail theft, where vital documents such as bank statements and birth certificates are stolen from mailboxes or dumpsters, as well as theft or theft of computers from homes and workplaces. Insider threats, including careless employees or malicious insiders, pose significant risks by mishandling or improperly destroying sensitive data (Gercke, 2012).

On the digital side, methods such as phishing, spoofing, and pharming are common. Phishing involves sending deceptive emails to trick victims into revealing personal information. Spoofing uses fake websites or emails bearing authentic-looking trademarks to lure victims. Pharming redirects users to malicious sites via malware or DNS cache poisoning to harvest sensitive data (Kaspersky Lab, 2018). Moreover, advance-fee fraud schemes manipulate victims into paying upfront with false promises of money or services, while spyware installed surreptitiously on devices intercepts user activity and transmits private data to criminals (Symantec, 2019).

Facilitating Crimes and Legal Consequences

The process of facilitating crimes through identity theft involves procuring stolen identifiers, creating fictitious documents, establishing false identities, and then engaging in various illegal acts. These acts include student loan fraud, immigration fraud, social security scams, credit card fraud, and tax evasion (Alarid & Leigh, 2018). Law enforcement faces challenges due to jurisdictional discrepancies, underreporting, and limited resources, complicating efforts to combat identity-related crimes effectively.

Victims of identity theft endure long-term repercussions, including harassment, banking problems, loan rejections, utility cutoffs, and even criminal charges due to misuse of stolen identities. The emotional toll and financial burden underscore the importance of preventive measures, public awareness, and robust legal frameworks.

Conclusion

As technology continues to evolve, so too do the tactics of cybercriminals. Awareness and understanding of the distinctions and methods related to identity theft and fraud are crucial for individuals, businesses, and governments. Preventive strategies such as securing personal data, employing strong authentication, and being vigilant against phishing and scam schemes can mitigate risks. Ongoing research, legislative action, and technological innovation are vital in addressing this multifaceted threat and protecting society’s digital infrastructure.

References

• Alarid, L. F., & Leigh, H. (2018). Crime and criminal justice. Sage Publications.
• Crumpler, K. (2015). Identity theft: Strategies and tactics for personal and corporate protection. Security Journal, 28(2), 174-193.
• Federal Trade Commission. (2011). Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. https://www.ftc.gov/reports/2011/annual-report-consumer-sentinel-network-data-book
• Gercke, M. (2012). Understanding cyber crime: Phenomena, challenges and legal responses. Council of Europe.
• Javelin Strategy & Research. (2012). 2012 Identity Fraud Study. Javelin Strategy & Research.
• Kaspersky Lab. (2018). The evolution of phishing: Trends and defenses. Kaspersky Report.
• Smith, J., & Lee, S. (2017). Cybercrime and society. Routledge.
• Wang, Y. (2019). Virtual identities and online deception: An overview. Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(1), 45-60.
• Symantec. (2019). Internet Security Threat Report. Symantec Corporation.