What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is unlawfully acquiring and using the identification of another person as one's own. For example, one who uses a credit card or credit device by posing to be the owner of the card, and who obtains goods and services thereby, is guilty of identity theft. In the online setting, a person with enough personal information on another may be able to transact internet business in that person's name, using his or her identity. Password protection is therefore essential. The problem of identity theft is the subject of proposed federal legislation. Internet security is a growing field.