ABSTRACT
Identity theft and document fraud are not new and novel criminal activities. After the events of September 11, 2001, law enforcement had an increased awareness and concern regarding the use of identity theft and document fraud, particularly with respect to the use of these activities and the role of each in the aiding and abetting of terrorist activities. The introduction and widespread use of the Internet has facilitated the rate at which these crimes are being committed. The relative ease with which individuals can obtain personal information through the Internet has exacerbated the problem to such an extent that identity theft and document fraud have been labeled “the fastest growing crime of our time.” The theft of an individual's legal identity provides anonymity for those who wish to engage in a wide range of crimes including, but not limited to, financial crimes, drug crimes, and even terrorism.
