CJ230 Unit 9 Seminar

Expectations for the Week Read Chapter 13 in Contemporary Criminal Law Read Chapter 13 in Contemporary Criminal Law Respond to the Discussion Board question Respond to the Discussion Board question Attend the Seminar Attend the Seminar Complete the Final Project Complete the Final Project Review the Supporting Materials Review the Supporting Materials Visit Take A Break! Visit Take A Break! Take the Final Exam Take the Final Exam

Questions regarding Unit 8 or this week’s expectations?

Seminar Topic Identity Theft

Also know as identity fraud, ID theft and ID fraud - is fraud perpetrated by a criminal who assumes someone else's identity in order to profit illegally.

Methods by which identity theft occurs Shoulder surfing (at the ATM) Shoulder surfing (at the ATM) Dumpster Diving (Sifting through trash) Dumpster Diving (Sifting through trash) Theft of wallet, purse backpack Theft of wallet, purse backpack Theft of mail (pre-approved credit card applications) Theft of mail (pre-approved credit card applications) Theft of receipts from retailers (restaurants, stores) Theft of receipts from retailers (restaurants, stores) Phishing Schemes ( used by imposters posing as banks and other entities to gain personal information) Paypal, Nigerian lottery Phishing Schemes ( used by imposters posing as banks and other entities to gain personal information) Paypal, Nigerian lottery

Types of crime that can occur with stolen identity Credit card fraud Credit card fraud Lease of apartment in another’s name Lease of apartment in another’s name Bank fraud (use of debit card, ATM card, application for loans, etc) Bank fraud (use of debit card, ATM card, application for loans, etc) Obtaining government benefits (ex. Use of city utilities in another’s name, use of health benefits ex. Mass Health) Obtaining government benefits (ex. Use of city utilities in another’s name, use of health benefits ex. Mass Health) Filing of fraudulent tax returns Filing of fraudulent tax returns

Internet’s affect on identity theft Ease of information for hackers Ease of information for hackers Loss of privacy controls Loss of privacy controls Carelessness of consumers in protecting their information online Carelessness of consumers in protecting their information online

Detection and Prevention of identity theft Careful monitoring of finances (bank and credit card statements) Careful monitoring of finances (bank and credit card statements) Report issues immediately Report issues immediately Shred all documents Shred all documents Frequently change online passwords Frequently change online passwords Do not give out personal information Do not give out personal information Get a copy of your credit report once/year Get a copy of your credit report once/year

Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 Title 18 of U.S. Code Section 1028 makes identity theft a Federal crime with penalties up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. Title 18 of U.S. Code Section 1028 makes identity theft a Federal crime with penalties up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. It establishes that the person whose identity was stolen is a true victim. Previously, only the credit grantors who suffered monetary losses were considered victims. It establishes that the person whose identity was stolen is a true victim. Previously, only the credit grantors who suffered monetary losses were considered victims. This legislation enables the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies to combat this crime. This legislation enables the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies to combat this crime.

State law Example of MA law in part: “…Whoever, with intent to defraud, poses as another person without the express authorization of that person and uses such person’s personal identifying information to obtain or to attempt to obtain money, credit, goods, services, anything of value, any identification card or other evidence of such person’s identity, or to harass another shall be guilty of identity fraud and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment…” M.G.L. Ch. 266 Sec. 37E

Statistics on Identity Theft · 1.1 million adults were victims of identity theft in 2009 · 1.1 million adults were victims of identity theft in 2009 · The total fraud amount was $54 billion · The total fraud amount was $54 billion · The average victim spent 21 hours and $373 out of pocket resolving the crime · The average victim spent 21 hours and $373 out of pocket resolving the crime · 4.8% of the population was a victim of identity fraud in 2009 · 4.8% of the population was a victim of identity fraud in 2009 · 13% of identity fraud crimes were committed by someone the victim knew · 13% of identity fraud crimes were committed by someone the victim knew Javelin 2010 Identity Theft Report study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in but-consumers-are-fighting-back html Javelin 2010 Identity Theft Report study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in but-consumers-are-fighting-back html study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in but-consumers-are-fighting-back html study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in but-consumers-are-fighting-back html

Identity theft is harmful to society 13: Identity theft is harmful to society 13: Identity theft is harmful to society Takes law enforcement away from other duties Takes law enforcement away from other duties Cost to companies to increase their safeguards leads to increases in the cost of goods and services to consumers Cost to companies to increase their safeguards leads to increases in the cost of goods and services to consumers Time taken by victims to resolve problems caused by identity theft takes them away from job and family Time taken by victims to resolve problems caused by identity theft takes them away from job and family Great emotional strain on victims Great emotional strain on victims Hurts economy when people are fearful of using credit card for e-commerce Hurts economy when people are fearful of using credit card for e-commerce

What to do if you are a victim Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus File a report with the police File a report with the police Notify all creditors and banks Notify all creditors and banks Notify law enforcement Notify law enforcement File claim with FTC (federal trade commission) who will share your information with fraud investigating agencies File claim with FTC (federal trade commission) who will share your information with fraud investigating agencies Notify any agency that deals with the identity that has been compromised (DMV, Social security office, US postal service) Notify any agency that deals with the identity that has been compromised (DMV, Social security office, US postal service)

Questions? Office Hours: Sundays 5-7 p.m. ESt Office Hours: Sundays 5-7 p.m. ESt AIM: eregocjs AIM: eregocjs