Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a growing issue in modern society. They impersonate their victims through obtaining their personal information, giving themselves the power to access bank accounts and perform other malicious acts.

Facebook has become the world's most dominant social networking site with a reported 750 million monthly active users. Facebook gives users the option of publically posting their full name, location, place of birth, birth date and other personal information, making it a gold mine for identity thieves.


Andrew Chrisholm, a reporter from The Guardian, reports about a Nigerian scammer impersonating Judy Gillis on facebook to solicit money from her friends. Soliciting money is one of the most common scams. They offer their victims a "too good to be true" offer.

Bryan Rutberg was also a victim to an identity thief, CNN reports that the scammer hacked Bryan's facebook and posted a status stating he had been robbed gunpoint in London and needed money to get back to the U.S. His friends responded by sending the scammer money thinking that it was Bryan.

Having access to a victim's personal information and account allows the scammer to assume the identity of the victim.

Deception is one of the most deadliest tools in an identity thief's arsenal.

Introduction

The year is 2011. Social networking has become the bread and butter of communication.

The impact of social networking is present throughout the world, so much that it has become apart of many people's lives and daily routine. Facebook has millions of users across the globe and has become the world's leading social networking domain. The impact is so phenomenal that Facebook has surpassed Google in terms of visits in the U.S.With such a large database of personal information, there is no doubt in mind that several threats would be lurking beyond the computer screen. From identity theft to putting a person's life in jeopardy.

Social Networking is dangerous.