Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States and abroad. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that identity theft costs consumers up to $50 billion annually and that this figure will likely continue to grow (Finklea, 2010, p. 1). Additionally, the FTC receives more than 250,000 consumer complaints of identity theft each year, which represents only a fraction of the total number of victims (Finklea, 2010, p. 9). There are several types and methods of identity theft and these methods continue to increase as technology becomes more and more sophisticated. Understanding the types and methods of identity theft can reduce potential victimization. Identity theft refers to illegal activities that specifically compromise another person's identity. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), identity theft is an activity "in which a person wrongly obtains and uses another person's personal data in a manner that involves fraud or deception, usually for economic purposes. This personal information may include names, social security numbers, dates of birth, bank accounts, credit card numbers or medical records. Identity theft may also be part of or enable other types of crimes such as bank, credit card, document, employment or immigration fraud; flight; and burglary, for example (Finklea, 2010, p. 2). Identity theft exists on a continuum from simple unauthorized credit card charges at one end to one person's identity being completely assumed by another. The primary use of stolen identities is for credit card fraud which can occur when an offender places charges on a victim's existing account. cards or by opening new accounts in their name. A common activity of these fraudsters is to modify the invoice...... middle of paper... by adding sensitive documents (DOJ, nd). It is also important that people do not open emails or attachments from people they do not know, refrain from entering personal information online, and regularly monitor their credit reports to reduce their risk of victimization .ReferencesFinklea, K. (2012, February 15). Identity theft: trends and issues. CRS Report for Congress, R40599. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40599.pdf Kuehner-Hebert, K. (2003). Establish new policies to catch identity thieves. American Banker, 168(110), 5A. Lanza, J. (2006, August 21). Protect your identity. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2006/august/idtheft_082106U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). (nd). Fraud: identity theft and identity fraud. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html