Identity Theft

ALSO CALLED: Security Breach, Data Theft, Data Breaches, Data Breach, Data Security Breaches
DEFINITION: Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of personal information, such as Social Security or driver's license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else. The information can be used to obtain credit, merchandise, and services in the name of the victim, or to provide the thief with false credentials. In addition to running up debt, an imposter might provide false identification  … 
Definition continues below.

IDENTITY THEFT DEFINITION (continued): …  to police, creating a criminal record or leaving outstanding arrest warrants for the person whose identity has been stolen. Identity theft is categorized in two ways: true name and account takeover. True name identity theft means that the thief uses personal information to open new accounts. The thief might open a new credit card account, establish cellular phone service, or open a new checking account in order to obtain blank checks. Account takeover identity theft means the imposter uses personal information to gain access to the person's existing accounts. Typically, the thief will change the … 
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