Identity Theft Debate

According to the network, Tech Target, Identity theft, also known as identity fraud, is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of personally identifiable information, such as Social Security or driver's license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else. Identity theft has become a widely discussed topic throughout society. Recent advances in technology have led to global identity theft. While certain authorities have been trying to decrease the possibility of this occurring, personal privacy is still being invaded by internet criminals every day.

Identity theft has worsened in recent years, 16.7 million people were affected, making that a record high in 2017. The statistics showed that new technology needed to be implemented,

On the side of the very limited positive effects of identity theft is how laws are advancing to prevent future crimes. Western countries have already enforced laws regarding legal protections for personal data. In the USA, 48 states have even passed laws that require individuals to be notified if their information is tampered with. Hopefully all 50 states will obtain these laws as well. “Members of Congress are reintroducing data-breach protection proposals, and industry voices have suggested that the United States could have finally reached the “tipping point” that will lead to the creation of a single national data-breach notification standard ” (O’Connor 1). The European Union is also influencing many other countries such as Japan and Canada. They put in data protection laws that are now being followed by others around the world. Data protection laws are becoming more useful every day (O’Connor, 1). The worse identity theft is, the stricter the laws are

Identity theft makes it much more difficult to purchase big things, such as cars and houses (Bahney 2). A man named William Burnett has to worry about his thief throughout his daily life. “He now has a stack of mail from more than 30 companies that he's never done business with. All of them are notifying him that someone has tried to open a new account or new line of credit in his name.” (Bahney 1). Burnet even has to freeze his accounts. A credit freeze prevents anyone from being approved for credit or opening a new account in his name. It is the most effective way to stop this type of fraud, but now whenever he wants to make a big purchase, like a car or house, he has to get his freeze lifted. Also, Protection mechanisms, like lifelock or Wells Fargo, are extremely difficult to afford for the average individual. Not only is your money being stolen, but now you have to pay for your other money to be protected (Bahney 2). The negative effects don’t end here. Identity theft makes you life more complicated and adds stress that is not