Identity theft: What is it?

Identity theft happens when criminals deliberately set out to gather and collect someone else's information such as their name, date of birth, address where they live. This information can be found on documents often thrown into the bin or if that person's online account has been hacked.

After identity theft happens, the thief/criminal usually goes on to commit identity fraud. Identity fraud is the deliberate use of someone else's identity to commit a financial crime by buying goods/services, pretending to be someone else, using their card/bank details.

Identity theft is on the rise as the use of credit cards, debit cards and contactless payments are used more and more.

Check out the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work Second Edition Textbook to find out more or check out: My Revision Notes: CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work: Second Edition

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