Identity Theft
As technology and the internet advance, cybercrime is rapidly increasing. Cybercrimes, defined as criminal behavior occurring on or via the medium of computers, the internet, or other technologies recognized under the Information technologies Act, are the most severe and widespread crimes in the post-internet, modern period.
The use of computers and other related technology in daily life is rapidly increasing and has evolved into a mode that enhances user ease. Although the medium is vast and immeasurable, it also has dark sides.
Some newly emerged cybercrimes are cyber stalking, cyber pornography, cyber terrorism, email spoofing, cyber defamation, etc. Out of these all, identity theft (ID) theft seems to be the most severe crime in cyberspace.
Let us now understand what exactly is Identity (ID) theft, and the modes in which it is performed. We shall also glance at the Indian provisions with respect to this cybercrime, and a few landmark judgments.
Identity Theft Explained
Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves the unauthorised use of another person’s personal information to commit illegal crimes or obtain financial or other benefits. This data may include the victim’s name, address, Aadhar card number, PAN card, credit card details, and other personal information.
Identity thieves can use the victim’s personal information to start credit card accounts, obtain loans, make purchases, or even apply for jobs in their name. The victim’s details might also be used to access private financial accounts or seek for government benefits. Identity theft can have serious and long-term consequences, including financial losses, impaired credit, and mental distress.
Modes of Identity Theft
1. Malware
Malware is an abbreviation for malicious software, which is any software that is purposefully designed to do harm to a computer system, network, or person. It can take many forms, including viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.
Malware can capture sensitive data such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other private information, which can then be used to commit identity theft. A keylogger, which records everything a user types on their keyboard, including passwords and other sensitive information, is one of the most common types of malware used for this purpose.
It is critical to follow best practices for internet security, such as using strong and unique passwords, to avoid identity theft caused by malware.
2. Hacking
Hackers can get personal information and utilize it for fraud through a variety of means, including malware infections and database breaches.
A hacker, for example, may ask the recipient to enter their login information or other personal information in an email that appears to be from a trustworthy source, such as a bank or an online retailer. Similarly, a database breach could allow a hacker to get unauthorized access to a company’s database and steal financial information, Aadhar Card numbers, PAN cards, and other sensitive information.
3. Phishing
Phishing is a type of online scam used frequently to obtain sensitive data, including passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal information that can be exploited for identity theft.
Phishing attempts can appear as emails, texts, phone calls, or even messages on social media that claim to be from a reputable source like a bank, online merchant, or government agency.
In order to obtain sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information, the attacker must successfully mislead the recipient.
Once the attacker obtains this information, they can use it to open new credit card accounts or carry out illicit purchases while using the victim’s identity.
Indian Laws Related to Identity Theft
Identity theft is a criminal offence in India, and there are laws and regulations in place to prevent and punish such acts. Some of the key laws related to identity theft in India are mentioned below.
Information Technology Act of 2000
The Information Technology Act (IT Act), a piece of legislation passed in India, contains no mention of identity theft in particular. The Act does, however, make provisions for the punishment of a variety of cybercrimes, including hacking and unauthorized access to private data.
If a person willfully and unlawfully accesses, downloads, copies, or extracts data or information from a computer resource, they may be held liable for damages and compensation under sections 43 and 66 of the IT Act.
Furthermore, Section 72 of the IT Act covers both the protection of personal data and the problem of data security.
While the IT Act does not expressly address identity theft, it contains legal measures for the punishment of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The Indian Penal Code of 1860
Indian Penal Code (IPC), which dates back to 1860, contains provisions to punish numerous offences, including those involving identity theft. Identity theft is covered under the following sections of the IPC:
Section 419: This section addresses cheating by impersonation and prescribes a punishment extending up to three years of imprisonment, or fine, or both.
Section 420: This section deals with defrauding and dishonestly procuring the handover of the property, and it lays forth a punishment that includes both a fine and a term of imprisonment that can last up to seven years.
The IPC also includes provisions for penalties in situations of document forgery and passing off a fabricated document as a real one.
Landmark Judgments Related to Identity Theft in India
1. Binod Sitaram Agarwal versus the State of Maharashtra (2018)
In this case, the applicant was held for violating sections 43 and 66C of the Information Technology Act 2000. When the charge sheet was prepared, sections 408 of the Indian Penal Code and 70 of the Information Technology Act were included.
2. K Sudhakar versus N Balaji (2017)
Facts: Respondent N. Balaji’s father-in-law, K. Sudhakar, received his savings account statement from HDFC Bank without his authorization. The respondent filed a private complaint alleging that he has a savings account at HDFC Bank, Thillai Nagar Branch, Tiruchirapalli and for the above-mentioned cause, the petitioner has committed offences punishable under sections 66B and 66C of the Information Technology Act read
Conclusion
The expanding issue of identity theft affects millions of people each year. It can lead to significant financial loss, severe mental distress, reputational damage, and credit loss. If you want to avoid identity theft, you must be cautious in securing your personal information, protecting your passwords, and reviewing your credit reports on a regular basis.
Using services and tools such as fraud alerts and credit freezes can help you recognize and recover from identity theft. You can reduce your chances of being a victim of this crime by taking preventative measures to protect your identity.
khushboo handa (trainee)
They make international medication sourcing effortless.
can you buy lisinopril without rx
Their global health resources are unmatched.
https://semaglupharm.shop/# Rybelsus online pharmacy reviews
https://semaglupharm.com/# Semaglu Pharm
LipiPharm: Lipi Pharm – generic atorvastatin 40 mg
where can i buy prednisone: Predni Pharm – PredniPharm
SemagluPharm SemagluPharm Semaglu Pharm
https://semaglupharm.shop/# Order Rybelsus discreetly
Predni Pharm: 5 mg prednisone daily – Predni Pharm
will lipitor make you tired: LipiPharm – Discreet shipping for Lipitor
https://prednipharm.com/# buy prednisone online usa
https://semaglupharm.shop/# SemagluPharm
Order rosuvastatin online legally: Order rosuvastatin online legally – crestor and weight gain
crestor vs atorvastatin side effects: CrestorPharm – CrestorPharm
https://semaglupharm.com/# Where to buy Semaglutide legally
Rosuvastatin tablets without doctor approval: rosuvastatin indications – Buy cholesterol medicine online cheap
Predni Pharm: prednisone online for sale – PredniPharm
https://semaglupharm.shop/# Safe delivery in the US
Crestor mail order USA CrestorPharm does rosuvastatin make you gain weight
https://crestorpharm.com/# Crestor Pharm
Predni Pharm: Predni Pharm – prednisone for cheap
otc rybelsus: Semaglu Pharm – Semaglu Pharm
https://semaglupharm.com/# Online pharmacy Rybelsus
п»їBuy Rybelsus online USA cheapest semaglutide without insurance Semaglu Pharm
PredniPharm: PredniPharm – Predni Pharm
п»їBuy Crestor without prescription: crestor and kidneys – Online statin therapy without RX
LipiPharm LipiPharm what is best time to take lipitor medication
https://crestorpharm.shop/# can rosuvastatin cause itching
lipitor and anxiety: LipiPharm – USA-based pharmacy Lipitor delivery
https://semaglupharm.shop/# alternatives to rybelsus
PredniPharm: PredniPharm – buy prednisone tablets uk
LipiPharm LipiPharm how does lipitor work in the body
Where to buy Semaglutide legally: glp 1 rybelsus – semaglutide same as ozempic
http://semaglupharm.com/# FDA-approved Rybelsus alternative
Semaglu Pharm: rybelsus near me – Semaglu Pharm
5 prednisone in mexico buy 40 mg prednisone PredniPharm
https://semaglupharm.shop/# Semaglu Pharm
Rybelsus 3mg 7mg 14mg: Safe delivery in the US – SemagluPharm
http://crestorpharm.com/# crestor 10m
Semaglu Pharm: SemagluPharm – No prescription diabetes meds online
Rybelsus for blood sugar control Semaglu Pharm Rybelsus 3mg 7mg 14mg
https://semaglupharm.com/# Semaglu Pharm
semaglutide dosage schedule: Semaglu Pharm – No prescription diabetes meds online
rybelsus como se toma: SemagluPharm – Semaglu Pharm
Crestor Pharm does rosuvastatin cause itching Crestor mail order USA
https://semaglupharm.com/# Semaglu Pharm
tyler the crestor shirt: crestor and gout – Crestor Pharm
SemagluPharm: Online pharmacy Rybelsus – Semaglu Pharm
http://semaglupharm.com/# п»їBuy Rybelsus online USA
Affordable cholesterol-lowering pills generic crestor names Crestor Pharm
https://semaglupharm.com/# semaglutide vs phentermine
No prescription diabetes meds online: SemagluPharm – Semaglu Pharm
SemagluPharm: Rybelsus for blood sugar control – Semaglutide tablets without prescription
https://semaglupharm.shop/# Semaglu Pharm
Crestor Pharm can i stop taking rosuvastatin cold turkey rosuvastatin once a week
ed meds online canada: canadian pharmacies – real canadian pharmacy
India Pharm Global: India Pharm Global – India Pharm Global
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# India Pharm Global
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# India Pharm Global
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa Meds From Mexico
buy medicines online in india: India Pharm Global – indianpharmacy com
Meds From Mexico: buying prescription drugs in mexico online – mexican pharmaceuticals online
https://indiapharmglobal.com/# India Pharm Global
India Pharm Global online pharmacy india best online pharmacy india
best canadian online pharmacy: Canada Pharm Global – canadian pharmacy cheap
https://canadapharmglobal.com/# canadian drug pharmacy
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: Meds From Mexico – Meds From Mexico
https://medsfrommexico.shop/# medicine in mexico pharmacies
online shopping pharmacy india reputable indian pharmacies India Pharm Global
Meds From Mexico: Meds From Mexico – buying prescription drugs in mexico online
http://canadapharmglobal.com/# the canadian pharmacy
Meds From Mexico: Meds From Mexico – Meds From Mexico
canadapharmacyonline legit canadian pharmacy ed medications northern pharmacy canada
Meds From Mexico: Meds From Mexico – Meds From Mexico
https://medsfrommexico.shop/# Meds From Mexico
https://medsfrommexico.com/# mexican mail order pharmacies
my canadian pharmacy review: Canada Pharm Global – best canadian online pharmacy
indian pharmacies safe top 10 pharmacies in india India Pharm Global
top 10 pharmacies in india: India Pharm Global – cheapest online pharmacy india
https://canadapharmglobal.com/# canadadrugpharmacy com
India Pharm Global: mail order pharmacy india – India Pharm Global
India Pharm Global India Pharm Global India Pharm Global
canadian online pharmacy: Canada Pharm Global – canadian pharmacy in canada
https://canadapharmglobal.shop/# canada drug pharmacy
https://indiapharmglobal.shop/# pharmacy website india
India Pharm Global: buy prescription drugs from india – India Pharm Global
https://canadapharmglobal.com/# cheapest pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy near me canada online pharmacy canadian pharmacy victoza
cheap canadian pharmacy: real canadian pharmacy – canadian pharmacy ltd
mexico drug stores pharmacies: purple pharmacy mexico price list – mexican mail order pharmacies
http://indiapharmglobal.com/# pharmacy website india
mail order pharmacy india: India Pharm Global – online shopping pharmacy india
India Pharm Global India Pharm Global Online medicine home delivery
http://indiapharmglobal.com/# reputable indian online pharmacy
canada pharmacy reviews: Canada Pharm Global – canadian pharmacy scam
https://efarmaciait.shop/# collagen balance recensioni
comparador farmacias online Papa Farma sobres para el estreГ±imiento movicol
mascara rea: paracetamol apotek – mГ¤t blodtryck apotek
http://papafarma.com/# farmacia de guardia en cádiz capital
farmacia barcelona 24h: Papa Farma – Papa Farma
honungssalva apotek pcr test apotek beige hårfärg
movicol pediГЎtrico sin receta: enfamil estreГ±imiento – casenlax jarabe amazon
https://papafarma.com/# taxfree malaga
http://efarmaciait.com/# navizan 2 mg
Papa Farma: Papa Farma – Papa Farma
Svenska Pharma: brГ¶stpump apotek – Svenska Pharma
Svenska Pharma Svenska Pharma Svenska Pharma
https://svenskapharma.com/# Svenska Pharma
http://papafarma.com/# Papa Farma
farmacia envГo gratis 30€: Papa Farma – brentan crema precio espaГ±a
Svenska Pharma magnesium spray fötter paracetamol 1 g
mg cadiz: fatmacias – Papa Farma
http://papafarma.com/# farmacia cercana a mÃ
Papa Farma: Papa Farma – linea oral
Rask Apotek pektin apotek aktivert karbon apotek
https://svenskapharma.shop/# Svenska Pharma
https://efarmaciait.com/# EFarmaciaIt
katt vitlГ¶k: Svenska Pharma – cbd olja apotek
meteo a carrГЁ: EFarmaciaIt – parafarmacia vendita online
hydrogen peroxide apotek folsyre apotek munnbind med ventil apotek
https://raskapotek.com/# Rask Apotek
Svenska Pharma: apotek turkiet – gratis svamp app
billiga duschblandare: Svenska Pharma – Svenska Pharma
Svenska Pharma värktabletter hund Svenska Pharma
https://svenskapharma.shop/# apotek på nätet billigt
https://papafarma.com/# Papa Farma
EFarmaciaIt: diflucan 150 costo – farmasave farmacia online
Svenska Pharma: Svenska Pharma – apotek hemleverans idag
http://svenskapharma.com/# pincett apotek
Svenska Pharma metylenblått apotek läkemedel lista
EFarmaciaIt: EFarmaciaIt – migliori pannolini per neonati forum
https://efarmaciait.shop/# onaka 800
sildenafilo 50 mg 4 comprimidos precio medicamentos farmacia Papa Farma
https://papafarma.com/# falmacia
Papa Farma: Papa Farma – citrafleet precio sin receta
http://papafarma.com/# Papa Farma
utbildning fГ¶r att jobba pГҐ apotek: Svenska Pharma – stetoskop kГ¶pa
EFarmaciaIt peridon costo vermox compresse
Svenska Pharma: kollektivavtal apotek – kГ¶pa kanyler apotek
https://papafarma.com/# vitaminas multicentrum opiniones
EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt elenco farmaci in gravidanza ministero della salute
https://efarmaciait.shop/# normix sciroppo bambini
https://papafarma.shop/# crema viagra
ГёlgjГ¦r tabletter apotek: Rask Apotek – Rask Apotek
EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt EFarmaciaIt
https://papafarma.shop/# farmwcia
Rask Apotek: skjeggolje apotek – sittepute apotek
Pharma Confiance pharmacie moins cher ile-de france Pharma Confiance
http://pharmaconnectusa.com/# clarithromycin online pharmacy
grande pharmacie paris pas cher: Pharma Confiance – Pharma Confiance
https://medicijnpunt.shop/# online apotheke
MedicijnPunt: MedicijnPunt – farma online
https://pharmaconfiance.com/# Pharma Confiance
Medicijn Punt apotheke medicijnen zonder recept met ideal
Pharma Confiance: Pharma Confiance – panier pour dГ©ambulateur
Pharma Confiance: shampoing klorane que choisir – Pharma Confiance
https://pharmaconfiance.com/# Pharma Confiance
community rx pharmacy warren mi Cialis Oral Jelly (Orange) PharmaConnectUSA
http://pharmajetzt.com/# apo med
Pharma Connect USA: online pharmacy florida – provigil pharmacy express
online medicatie bestellen: Medicijn Punt – online medicijnen bestellen met recept
http://pharmaconfiance.com/# ddp nouvelle collection 2022