Identity theft, or also referred to as identity fraud, is a type of crime in which someone is breaching, obtaining, and using someone else’s identity[i]. Most of the time, the initial motive behind the crime is to gain financial advantages. It is one of the oldest crimes in the world. Back then, the criminal would kidnap and kill the victim so they could use their name and personal information for their agenda. Today, identity theft is no longer considered as a physical crime. The rise of digital technology advancement has disrupted the way criminal stole people’s identity[ii]. Identity thieves nowadays could steal someone else’s identity without even leaving their house as most of the people’s identity could be found online.

As the world became more attached to the internet, more people are at risk of being the victim of identity theft.

Although anyone can be the victim of identity theft, some are more vulnerable. As suggested in a research published by Cifas[iii], young people are more likely to be the victim of identity theft compared to other groups. They are more vulnerable, because, most of them are unaware of identity theft implications and consequences while assuming that they are safe from such a crime. The unawareness leads them to be unprepared to protect themselves from identity theft adequately.

Due to the rapid technological advancements, the crime is now being more prevalent than ever, leaving rippling effects that could last for a lifetime. Thus, it is necessary to preach about the danger of identity theft so people, especially the most vulnerable ones, could protect themself from becoming the victim.

How they steal?

As I’ve mentioned above, digital advancements have ushered a new age of identity theft. The thieves have become more clever and artful in stealing people’s identity and personal information. Physical and direct contact with the victim to gather their personal information is no longer needed. In the current age of identity theft, sensitive details about the victims are hovering around the cyberspace. With the help of various online tools, the thieves could sophisticatedly collect and identify the target’s data.

As the thieve technique continues to evolve, the crime becoming more challenging to detect.

Identity thieves play calculative and cunning moves to deceive the victim’s sense of security[iv]. In many cases, the criminals using the victim’s sensitive information months or even years after the data was collected. Therefore, the victim would not even realize that someone has stolen their identity.

The thieves are pulling various ruses to steal people’s identity. Here are some of the most typical and slick ploys that identity thieves have frequently used to steal the victim’s data[v].

• Using maware, spyware, and specific software to hack into the victim’s smart devices.

When hacked smartphone, tablet, laptop, and PC connected to public Wi-Fi networks, the thieves could easily obtain personal information in the device. Most of the time, the victim is unknown with the fact that someone has hacked their smart devices.

• Sending unsoicited email and online requests for information.

Identity thieves often sending a faux email pretending to be from a legit and trusted organization. Besides faux email, some are also tricking the target into clicking on sketchy links. If the victim is falling to the trap, it allows the criminals to swipe their data. This method also commonly known as phishing.

How it affects the victim?

Similar to old-school identity theft, most of the new age identity theft is intended to gain financial advantages.

However, while traditional identity theft mostly targeting the wealthy and influential people, online identity theft preying on anyone in the cyberspace. The victims of identity theft are varied; thus, the aftermath of identity theft has grown complex and beyond financial loss.

A survey published in ICJSN[vi] shown that 61% of identity theft victims suffered financial and emotional turbulences. Damaged reputation, ruined social relations, trauma, and suffering existential crisis are few examples of emotional turmoil caused by identity theft.

How to avoid identity theft?

Identity theft crafting disastrous consequences for the victim that could last for a lifetime. Taking real action to secure and protect our data from identity theft is critical.

We have to proactively involved in securing our identity. Here are several things that could be done[vii]:

• Create unique and difficult to hijacked passwords and avoid using one password for many accounts/devices
• Regularly changing your passwords
• Installing email notification so you would aware when someone is trying to use your accounts/devices
• Installing anti-spyware, anti-malware, and anti-viruses software on smart devices.
• Using virtual private network when diving into the internet.
• Ignore the sketchy unsolicited email and link that you received
• Always being cautious and careful before sharing anything about you online
• Restrict the number of people that could have access to your personal information

Sure, doing all of those steps might would not completely banish our chance of being the victim of identity theft. Identity thieves would keep evolving and finding ways to get access to our personal information. However, taking all of those precautions could truly helping us keep our identity secure.

Author: Amelinda Pandu Kusumaningtyas
Editor: Treviliana Eka Putri

Read more articles written by Amelinda Pandu Kusumaningtyas

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[i] Justice.gov. (2020. Identity Theft). [online] Available at: [Accessed 7 March 2020].

[ii]. Stroup, J., 2020. Where Did The Identity Theft Problem Start?. [online] The Balance. Available at: [Accessed 7 March 2020].

[iii] Cifas.org.uk. 2020. New Data Reveals Young People Increasingly At Risk Of Fraud | Cifas. [online] Available at: [Accessed 9 April 2020].

[iv]. Steinberg, S. (2020). The Latest Ways Identity Thieves Are Targeting You — And What To Do If You Are A Victim. [online] CNBC. Available at: [Accessed 10 March 2020].

[v]  ibid

[vi] Norum, Pamela & Weagley, Robert. (2006). College Students, Internet Use, and Protection from Online Identity Theft. J. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS. 35. 45-59. 10.2190/VL64-1N22-J537-R368.

[vii] Jerri, L. (2020). How To Protect Yourself From College Identity Theft. [online] The Balance. Available at: [Accessed 11 March 2020].