Identity Theft

Identity theft (or identity fraud) has gained prominence as a pressing and prevalent social problem. It has been described as ‘the fastest growing crime in the US and UK’ and as ‘the crime that most people fear’. Yet it has attracted relatively little academic attention and there are few books dedicated exclusively to identity theft. This book provides a comprehensive account of the nature, causes and consequences of identity theft and a thorough analysis of the efficacy of a range of means of addressing the problem.

Identity Theft gives an explanation of the different facets of identity and what it means for identity to be stolen, and also gives an insight into the motivation underlying identity theft. It considers victimisation, asking ‘who is the victim of identity theft?’ and includes an analysis of the infrequently mentioned issue of what could be termed ‘corporate identity theft’; it discusses the efficacy of the current law to address the complexities of identity theft and evaluate proposed measures such as the introduction of identity cards in terms of their ability to reduce or eliminate identity theft.