Abstract The writer of this paper defines identity theft as a crime that is committed in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses the personal information of someone else. This paper explores this particular problem and its impact on society. This paper details the various methods of identity theft. The reports of incidence most frequently involve the withdrawal of money from a personal bank or financial account, while the worst cases involve completely pilfered identities, with vast debts accumulated and crimes committed in the victim's name. This paper delves into published reports which claim that identityfraud is the fastest growing crime in the U.S., with over 9.9 million victims reported. The writer discusses the flaws in technology that enable computer hackers to obtain one's personal information as well as the available strategies to thwart this growing problem. This paper details the workings behind mandatory internet service provider coverage, which is among the most feasible solutions to the problem of identityfraud. This paper also examines various cases involving identity theft and fraud, including that of ChoicePoint, who recently announced that the personal information of 145,000 members had been stolen by thieves.
From the Paper "The use of privacy software by the ISPs would establish an early wall of protection and an immediate source of blame; for example, in the case of the Lowe's security breach, while hackers were at fault for committing the actions, the wireless networking system that made the whole so gaping a twenty year old in a Grand Prix could step through it suggests a critical lack of responsibility on behalf of the service provider as reflected in their software. The May 10 Hearings on Identity Theft and Data Broker Services, as documented by the Sensenbrenner Advocates Watchdog for Judiciary lobby group would suggest that the Federal Government agrees. Testimonies included Kurt Sanford, President and C.E.O at LexisNexis, Douclas Curling, President and CEO at ChoicePoint, Jennifer Barret, the Chief Privacy Officer at Axcom, and Mark Rotenberg, President and executive Director at Electronic Privacy Information Center, among others."
Abstract The paper discusses the steps an individual can take in order to protect his identity and shows how important it is to be able to detect suspicious behavior and activity everywhere. The actions that consumers can take if they have been the victim of identity theft are explained and the ways in which identityfraud has been dealt with by different companies is outlined. The paper also relates the results of a survey where five people were questioned concerning their experiences and opinions regarding identity theft.
From the Paper "The largest transaction a family, or individual will make is when they purchase a home. The first step in buying a home is to make sure that the family and/or the individual understand the risks of identity theft and how serious it can become. The Federal trade commission receives 15,000 to 20,000 consumer complaints every week. Identity theft can ruin a person's credit and derail that person's real estate dreams.
"In fact, many consumers first learn they are victims of identity theft when they are in the process of renting or buying a home. This means that a person's or family's real estate dreams can be dashed in a moment because they were unknowingly a victim of identity theft. There are different avenues of choice a person can make in deterring identity theft and ensuring that one does not become a victim of such a crime."
Abstract Discusses the background and prevalence of identity theft or fraud and the materials used for fraud, including social security, PIN, and bank account numbers, and the types of identityfraud including credit card, bank, and government benefits.
From the Paper " What is Identity Fraud?
A. Definition
A Social Security Administration website defines "identity theft" - a term synonymous with identity fraud - as occuring when "a criminal uses another person's personal ..."
Abstract This paper presents a brief history of both the term 'white collar' crime and of the investment market and devotes time to the white-collar crimes in the Waste Management scandal and the Savings and Loan crisis. The paper explores the different forms of mortgage fraud as well as their definitions, and how an individual and a company can prevent mortgage fraud or identity theft in general. The paper also discusses the ethical issues that arise with mortgage fraud.
Outline:
Introduction
Brief Overview of White Collar Crime
History of White Collar Crime
An Overview of the Investment Market
Business Ethics/ A Look at White Collar Crime
Mortgage Fraud
From the Paper "Mortgage fraud is committed by individuals in a position of trust within a company's infrastructure. These individuals have gained enough trust to ensure that their clandestine activities as they relate to fraud will not be uncovered. These individuals are in breach of their company contracts by trading inside information and withholding opportunities for others in the form of larger profits. The individual is using their place of employment for personal gain through self dealing. Insider abuse may be related to fraud through the distribution of loans to insiders in excess of regulations. This includes high risk ventures, and speculative risks. It also includes the very high payment of exorbitant dividends during periods of insolvency within the company."
Abstract This paper attempts to identify the different types of insurance fraud perpetrated today and to evaluate their effect on the insurance industry and society at large. After tax evasion, insurance fraud is considered the highest-ranked among white-collar crimes. It provides a history of insurance, examines in detail the main types of insurance frauds currently around and discusses the measures that can be taken to help prevent and reduce the number of fraudulent claims.
Table of contents:
Abstract
Introduction
History of Insurance
Insurance Fraud How Insurance Frauds Affect Society
Classification of Fraud by Insurance Companies
Insurance Fraud Status as a Crime
Types of Insurance Frauds Staged Auto Accidents
Arson-for-Profit
Health Insurance Fraud by Individuals and Corporations
Workers' Compensation Fraud Property/ Casualty Insurance Fraud Agent Fraud Fake and Real Deaths to Collect Life Insurance Money
IdentityFraud Efforts to Reduce Insurance Fraud Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the most famous insurance providers in the world today, Lloyd's of London came into existence in 1688. Edward Lloyd owned a coffeehouse in London where merchants and bankers evaluated the risk of the maritime operations of seafaring vessels used for trading among the various British colonies and those used for prospecting new lands. Financiers for the expensive endeavors and trips to far off lands invested huge amounts of money in the hope that the voyages would be successful. Ship captains required money for supplies and goods, and would offer to embark on these dangerous trips with the help of these financiers?a potentially, mutually beneficial endeavor."
Tags: premiums, fraudulent, claims, crime, arson-for-profit, property, casualty, health
Abstract T|his paper explains the way to detect automobile insurance fraud and points out methods of investigating. The author relates sentencing for convicted fraud offenders. The paper reports the increasingly costly problem of auto insurance fraud.
From the Paper "Americans pay an exorbitant amount of money each year to insure their vehicles for which they have also paid handsomely. ... Americans paid an estimated ... billion for auto insurance. Why are costs so high? One factor that plays into the soaring rates of automobile insurance is the dramatic increase in car insurance fraud. Consider this scenario. A typical driver is driving through town innocently minding their own business on the way to ..."
Tags: automobile insurance fraud, car insurance, fraud, schemes, fraudulent, identity theft, claimants, insured, insurance company
Abstract This paper examines the profusion of identityfraud in Canadian society and reviews some of the measures being contemplated to bring about an end to it. The paper explores the history of the activity, the implications for contemporary life and the very real costs of identityfraud. The paper concludes with a brief critique of the present preventive methods and suggests that more can be done.
From the Paper "Identification theft has become a topic of serious discussion in recent years. As more and more of our personal information has been uploaded to computer databases (especially since the beginning of the 1990s), more of that information is now available to "cyber-hackers" and other white-collar criminals. This paper will explore the issue of identity theft by exploring what identity theft is, its various ramifications, how it can be avoided, how to report it within Canada and what the statistics are with regards to this very serious problem."
Abstract Over the last few years, the number of reported cases of identity theft has skyrocketed, from 86,000 reported cases in 2001 to over 700,000 in 2002. It is by far the fastest growing crime in the United States. Perhaps what is even scarier than the crime itself is the ease with which the crime can be pulled off. Discusses the crime of identity theft, ways in which it occurs, ways to prevent it and what to do if it does occur. The paper also investigates the way in which the internet has contributed to the rise in identity theft.
From the Paper "Experts have suggested many different ways to reduce the risk of being a victim of identity theft. Many of these suggestions are extremely easy and worth the trouble. The first suggestion is to tear up all credit card bills, bank statements, and any other sort of document that has personal information on it. The next suggestion is that social security numbers should be kept as private as possible. They stress that the social security card should not be carried around, and that social security and drivers license numbers not be written on checks. They also say that social security numbers, along with all personal information should never be given out unless the person asking for it has a good reason to need it. Another way to prevent possible identity theft is to always be on the look out for people that may be eavesdropping on conversations or watching what is being written down. This prevents the "shoulder surfing" technique. The next tip is to never respond to suspicious E-mails or phone solicitors. This is especially true of E-mails and solicitations that request identifying information."
Abstract This article summarizes and briefly discusses a Department of Justice bulletin article that reports on the nature of fraud in America. The writer examines the prevalence, extent, and nature of fraud. The writer also discusses how common fraud is. The financial damage of fraud to individuals is also discussed.
From the Paper "Well-functioning communities in which individuals feel safe and cared-for and are best able to give back to other community members are built on trust. People agree to trust each other enough to give and receive support whether that support is financial, emotional, spiritual or otherwise. Thus a society without trust is less of a functional community. The lack of trust intrinsic to societies where lying, cheating or twisting the truth ... "
Tags:fraud, social psychology, scams, Department of Justice, crime
Abstract This paper discusses the "notorious" case of academic fraud by Sir Cyril Lodowic Burt as presented by H. Beloff. The research focuses on the ethical problem presented, the ethical principles breached according to the Australian codes of ethics, the motives and justifications of a commitment of this breach, justification for such actions and solutions for dealing with instances of academic fraud. The paper states that while a brief discourse on the case of Sir Cyril is provided, the primary purpose of the case is to prevent fraud from occurring in the future.
Outline:
Academic Fraud Cyril Burt
Ethical Issues and Disputes
Code of Ethical Conduct
Proposed Solutions and Actions
From the Paper "The cardinal principles of the Australian Code of Ethics as dictated by the Australian Ethical Society (2003) suggest the following principles must be applied in psychology and in evaluation of academic fraud: (1) professionals have a duty to act using well-informed conscious decision-making, (2) professionals engaged in academic investigation have a duty to act in the interests of the community they serve, (3) professionals and academics have a duty to accept responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of their community before the welfare of their private or personal interests and (4) professionals have an obligation to act with honesty and in good faith to the community, and apply their skill and knowledge in the interests of the community."
Abstract This paper explains that, after it was discovered that several major corporations in the U.S. had committed accounting fraud, it became the responsibility of auditors to discover evidence of accounting fraud in businesses. The paper discusses the impact of Sarbanes Oxley as well as SAS 99 on auditors and on the companies they audit.
From the Paper "Many decisions in accounting and auditing involve judgment calls. Nevertheless, there are rules that cannot and should not be broken. Over the last several years a number of major publicly traded corporations in the United States have committed accounting fraud and as a result have filed for bankruptcy protection. John Weinberg, in "Economic Quarterly", comments that these bankruptcies have resulted in the loss of hundreds of billions of dollars in stock value, wiping out the life savings of numerous investors and putting tens of thousands of..."
Abstract The paper presents an analytical research report regarding the problem of corporate fraud and the lack of ethics that is leading to scandals and serious ethical and legal violations.
Outline:
Corporate Fraud and ethical problems in Business world
Enron: A case in point
What has been done?
From the Paper "There is probably one name that doesn't escape anyone's mind when we talk about corporate fraud. And this name is that of Enron. No discussion of corporate fraud is ever complete without the name of Enron. Enron was formed when two energy companies, Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth, decided to merge their operations in 1985. The company achieved tremendous success, as energy trading firm and it was the first firm of its kind where energy was traded as any other commodity. In the short span of 15 years, the company managed to gain rise to heights of success as it turned from a regulated natural gas company into world's largest energy trader. With 21,000 employees and operations in more than 30 countries, the company it seemed was doing extremely well and this was further supported by the evidence presented by its auditors."
Abstract An examination of the relationship between ethnicity and identity as understood as basis structures of individual life-worlds. The essay is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to sketching conceptual fieldwork, while the second part deals with the analysis of collected data. Therefore, in the first part, the writer explains the concepts ?identity?, and "ethnicity" and indicates possible ramifications the particular usage of concepts implies. In the second part, identity is discussed as a variable that influences ethnic ideologies one adheres to. In this part he also shows how the level which a particular ethnic group occupies at the stratification level, influences the shape of one's identity. In conclusion, the writer summarizes the findings by suggesting that identity and ethnicity mutually influence each other and they are both complementary expressions of each other.
From the Paper "In the following essay, I am going to locate the focal point of this problem in the one particular community - Highland Park High School. Highland Park is a small town in New Jersey, Middlesex County, where many emigrants from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America are there. At the Highland Park High School, although not apparently seen, the question of identity and ethnic belonging is still a problem among the American youths. While staying a year at Highland Park, I have been thinking a lot about the problems characteristic for the multicultural societies. All the questions I have asked myself may be boiled down to one single question ? namely, whether ethnicity and identity should be treated as interdependent variables, or rather one of them is more fundamental?"
Reviews two articles about identity formation in adolescence: "The Development of the Sense of Self in Adolescence" by A. Blasi and K. Milton and "Styles of Identity Formation in Early and Middle Adolescence" by H. Flum.
Abstract This paper examines and compares "The Development of the Sense of Self in Adolescence" by A. Blasi and K. Milton and "Styles of Identity Formation in Early and Middle Adolescence" by H. Flum, which both explore different adolescent identity styles and how they are formed. The paper points out that both articles are influenced by Erik Erikson's concept of the development of personality during adolescence. The paper also explains that Flum explores styles of identity within the framework of a number of issues, which concern adolescents at different age levels and represent the intrapersonal and interpersonal facets of the adolescent's experience; whereas, Blasi and Milton clarify an adolescent's sense of self, which underlies the experience of their evolving identity.
From the Paper "Flum (1994) results were categorized based on Marcia's ego-identity statuses. These showed whether the participant demonstrated identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, diffused type of moratorium and a less-diffused type of moratorium. The participants who fit into the identify diffusion category showed high external orientation and low decisiveness. The lower SES group had the most extreme cases of identity diffusion. The results for sex differences showed that 8 out of 10 of the extreme identity cases where males. There was no difference found for age for participants with extreme identity diffusion and the extreme non diffusion participants."
This paper looks at the issue of self-expression of identity, focusing on the classroom setting and students with a non traditional sexual orientation or disability.
Abstract This paper explores several educational theories that deal with the formation of individual identity within the context of a classroom. The paper discusses social justice education theories, critical pedagogy theory, and social identity theory and looks at how these theories can help exlplain the development of identity within the classroom, specifically focusing on students with disabilities or a non-traditional sexual orientation. The paper relates that constructing an identity within the context of a classroom is difficult enough, but adding into that a disability or a non traditional sexual orientation makes the process that much more difficult. The paper concludes that several of the theories examined in the paper prove how identity formulation is in some ways hindered within a classroom based on the categories and labels children place upon themselves.
Outline:
Literature Review
References
From the Paper "This is the same concept for students with different sexual orientations; they should first be acknowledged for all of their various identities, and then treated and taught accordingly based on the collaboration of those identities. This type of teaching environment must begin in grade school and continue on into higher education in order to present a solid foundation for these student's identities to grow and flourish all throughout their educational career.
"Children who are forced with a disability have an especially hard time in formulating their own unique identity when compared to physically normal children. Deaf children of all ages suffer a lag in their language and communication skills, which in turn delays their own formation of a conception of a self ..."
