Identity theft is a term used to refer to all types of crimes in which someone unlawfully obtains and uses another person's personal information in some way that involves fraud or deception, usually for financial gain. Unlike your fingerprints, which are unique to you and cannot be given to someone else to use, your personal information, especially your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number , your calling card number and other valuable identifying information, can be used, if they fall into the wrong hands, to make personal profit at your own expense (Weisman). In recent years, the number of reported cases of identity theft has skyrocketed, from 86,000 reported cases in 2001 to over 10,000,000 in 2005 (Weisman). It is by far the fastest growing crime in the United States. Perhaps what is even more frightening than the crime itself is the ease with which the crime can be carried out. Many people don't realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to enter our homes. In public places, for example, criminals can practice "shoulder surfing" ¬ observing you from a nearby position as you type your calling card number or credit card number ¬ or listening to your conversation if you provide your credit card number your credit card by telephone to a hotel or car rental company (Delaney). The area near your home or office may also be unsafe. Some criminals engage in "dumpster diving," which means they search through trash cans, dumpsters, or common garbage cans to obtain copies of your checks, credit card statements, or other documents that typically have your name, address, and even your phone number (Borrus). These types of documents make it easier for criminals to gain control over access… middle of paper… between law enforcement and the public, identity thieves will be held accountable in this new millennium. Works Cited Borrus , A. (2003, March 31). Catching Identity Theft. BusinessWeek, 3826, 91.Corel (2000, June 5). Identity theft and fraud. Retrieved November 17, 2005, from PCT website, US Department of Justice: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/idtheft.htmlDelaney, K.J. (2005). Identity theft just got easier. Wall StreetJournal, B.1.Fisher, A. (2005, September 5). Job offer or identity theft scam?.Fortune, 152, 161.Gattiker, UE (2004). Dictionary of Information Security.Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.Levy, S. & Stone, B. (2005, September 5). Grand Theft Identity.Newsweek, 38.Weisman, S. (2005). 50 Ways to Protect Your Identity and Credit. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.