Research Paper
Website Design
Instructor: Mrs. Williams
Topic: Identify Theft
Topic
Over seven million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2004. The fastest growing
financial crime, it involves the fraudulent use of someone else’s identity to get credit or
merchandise. Identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s
personal identification, credit or account information. Victims of identification theft typically
lose $800 and spend two years clearing their names.
Thieves use the newly acquired identities to apply for new driver’s licenses, open new bank
accounts, apply for credit cards or store credit accounts, obtain cash with bank cards, gain
retirement/pension/ social security benefits, get jobs, rent apartments and make retail purchases.
As a result, not only are consumers losing money, so are retailers, banks and credit card
companies.
Conduct research on the economic issues involved with identity theft. The research may include,
but is not limited to, the following factors:
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How does identity theft occur?
What procedures can consumers follow to protect themselves?
What policies are businesses implementing to protect their records and those of their
customers?
What impact has identity theft had on the banking and/or retail industry?
How has identity theft affected online shopping and what are online retailers doing to reduce
the risk of identity theft?
What are lawmakers doing, either on the state or federal level, to protect consumers and
punish identity thieves?
Paper Specifications
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The research paper must follow MLA report format.
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Each research paper must include a title page, with the following information: research paper
title, author’s name, school name, school address, school telephone number, total number of
pages, and name of advisor.
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Length of document is limited to three (3) double-spaced, single-sided, numbered pages with
one-inch margins. The title page and works cited are not included in the three pages.
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Each research paper must reflect the research, writing, and original thinking.
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Each paper must include a word-processed works cited page.