Identity Theft: The Internet Connection (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
March 16, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RS22082 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Marcia S. Smith, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Concern is growing about identity theft -- where one person assumes the identity of another by
stealing personally identifiable information (PII), such as credit card or Social Security numbers.
High profile incidents disclosed in early 2005 involving ChoicePoint, Bank of America, and
LexisNexis, where the PII of more than a million Americans may have been compromised, have
refocused congressional attention on this issue. Many associate the rise in identity theft cases with
the Internet, but surveys indicate that comparatively few victims cite the Internet as the source of
their stolen PII. Still, the Internet may play a role, particularly through a practice known as
"phishing." Congress already has passed several laws to address identity theft, and
continues to
debate whether additional action is needed. This report will not be updated; for information on
pending bills and current legislative action, see CRS Report RL31408 .
