Title: Identity theft in the USA: evidence from 2002 to 2006

Authors: Kai S. Koong, Lai C. Liu, Shuming Bai, Binshan Lin

Addresses: College of Business Administration, University of Texas–Pan American, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. ' College of Business Administration, University of Texas–Pan American, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. ' College of Business Administration, University of Texas–Pan American, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA. ' College of Business Administration, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115, USA

Abstract: Advances in mobile commerce and communication technologies have enabled businesses to reach clients across the globe who were not previously accessible. Unfortunately, mobile communications has also opened up an opportunity for electronic crimes. This study examines the occurrences of identity theft and where they were committed in the USA. Based on the 2002 to 2006 data sets obtained from the Federal Trade Commission, the number of identify theft cases reported was highest in states and geographic regions with the largest populations. However, when the population was factored in, the trends were quite different. Second, the growth rates have levelled off since 2003. Year 2006 was the first year that showed an actual decline in the number of reported cases.

Keywords: mobile commerce; m-commerce; mobile communications; consumer fraud; national fraud complaints; online fraud; internet fraud; homeland security; identity theft; USA; United States; electronic crime.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2008.016577

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2008 Vol.6 No.2, pp.199 - 216

Published online: 11 Jan 2008 *

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