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Identity Theft

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The Handbook of Security

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Abstract

There is an axiom in criminology that not long after an important technological innovation emerges there will be persons or groups who figure out illegal methods to exploit the new development. Authorities respond to such situations by establishing new control measures that are then countered by further tactics of depredation. Recent history regarding identity theft provides illustrations of this process. ATM machines, for instance, have made it easier for persons to access bank funds worldwide at any time of day or night. But they have encouraged criminals to locate out-of-the way ATMs and to hold up and rob persons soon after they draw cash from the machine. Thieves also at gunpoint have made individuals access their ATM accounts and then commandeered the funds withdrawn. The ATM operators responded by photographing customers, but thieves learned to stay out of the sight of the camera or to get youngsters to do their dirty work.

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Authors
  1. Henry N. Pontell
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  2. Gilbert Geis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UK

    Martin Gill (Professor of Criminology and Director of Perpetuity Research) (Professor of Criminology and Director of Perpetuity Research)

Copyright information

© 2014 Henry N. Pontell and Gilbert Geis

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Pontell, H.N., Geis, G. (2014). Identity Theft. In: Gill, M. (eds) The Handbook of Security. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-67284-4_14

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