(Note: A PDF version of this paper can be downloaded from ths link)
Abstract
The development of the internet and other electronic communications tools over the past 20 years has seen substantive facilitation of global commerce and service delivery for corporations, government agencies and individuals. Such facilitation has allowed the conduct of commerce across multiple locations at moderate cost.
The development of the online commerce environment has allowed those engaged with identity deception to ply their trade with near anonymity and with minimal risk of capture or prosecution. Authoritative studies by government agencies (Federal Trade Commission), private organisations (Javelin Research and Strategy) and non profit groups (Identity Theft Resource Centre) over recent years have documented the monetary and social costs associated with identity deception.
