Identity Theft Terms – What is Identity Cloning and Hiding?

Identity Theft Terms – What is Identity Cloning and Hiding?

Cloning and identity concealment occur when someone takes on the identity of another person in an attempt to hide their personal identity. The person may want to conceal her identity in an attempt to take advantage of an opportunity, which naturally may not apply to them. The use of cloning and concealment of identity is used mostly in immigration cases. The person hiding her identity may be seeking a visa using false information. Terrorists also use identity cloning to impersonate someone else.

Identity cloning can be used in a wide range of circumstances. Someone can assume another person’s grades at a university by assuming their identity. Cloning and concealment of identity can affect the labor market. The employer may not know the identity of the workers. Identity cloning affects many industries. In the financial sector, the clone can access credit by assuming the identity of another person. Identity concealment occurs primarily when the identity thief is trying to hide her personal identity to avoid law enforcement, such as arrest.

Identity cloning occurs when someone takes on the identity of another person. The person can use the same social security as someone who is alive or even dead. This can be done for criminal intent, such as gaining access to someone’s resources. By assuming the identity of another person, one can access resources, privileges and rights that one could not obtain if one maintained one’s own identity. Through cloning, the identity thief can access bank loans or obtain a visa to a foreign country.

The impact of cloning and identity concealment are many. The identity clone can implicate the original identity holder in a criminal case. This can happen when the identity thief commits a crime on behalf of someone else. Identity theft crimes can last a long time, since the person whose identity has been stolen may not be in a position to defend themselves given the seriousness of the matter. Court cases can drag on for months as it is difficult to identify identity clones who, in most cases, are not arrested.

Hiding one’s identity can be done for criminal reasons. Vital information such as marital status and others can be hidden. The person hiding the information may want to take advantage of certain loopholes in the law to achieve criminal intent.

Identity crimes are complicated and time consuming, requiring legal and forensic experts to handle. This makes identity crime expensive and time consuming.

Identity crimes can be very costly as you can lose entire fortunes due to cloning. The clone used to withdraw money and gain access to goods and services can use your credit card. This is most true of Internet-related crimes where credit cards can be used by clones to access various goods and services on your behalf.

The government enacted the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) of 2003, which requires all businesses to comply with the Red Flag Rules. This piece of record is intended to protect consumers of goods and services from crimes related to identity theft. All businesses that deal with consumers are supposed to comply with these records to avoid being sanctioned by the government and also to avoid being audited by the Federal Trade Commission.

The company is supposed to comply with these 2003 Red Flag rules in an attempt to protect its customers and consumers. When a company complies, it raises their profile as it assures customers that they are a safe company to deal with. Compliance with the Red Flag Rules will mean more business and higher sales for the company.

Various types of businesses can benefit from companies that offer Red Flag Compliance certifications. Businesses such as banks, credit unions, auto dealers, mortgage brokers, health care companies, and utility companies are some of the businesses that can benefit greatly from complying with the Red Flag Rules of 2003.

Compliance with these rules will reduce the cost of doing business, as companies can reduce the cost of post-trial litigation arising from identity crime.

Identity crimes like cloning and concealment can cost a company thousands or even millions of dollars. The company can greatly benefit from complying with the Red Flag Rules of 2003 and saving itself from the many costs of litigation. Compliance is the most profitable way as you benefit from increased sales and less litigation. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/index.shtml