Identity Theft Criminals: Why They Do It...
Identity Theft Can Be Big Money
To me, identity theft will always be somewhat of a mystery. I, personally, cannot fathom why someone would steal the identity of another. Don't get me wrong. I understand the concept of basic human greed and monetary evil, but I just don't see how someone could actually do this to another human being. I guess I'm just not wired that way. However, if a person can put a price on morality, then it's not hard to conclude that identity theft is just too tempting for some to resist.
How Big Is It?
Just how well does identity theft pay? You might be surprised. If you think only small-time crooks needing a few hundred dollars commit the crime, guess again. Identity theft can equate to big bucks.
Let's take Sarp Yaman for example. The man plead guilty to committing identity theft and stealing $1.5 million in other people's credit. How much time is he getting? About three years. That's $500k a year, my friend. Most college grads will never see that kind of salary.
Real Estate and Riches
Believe it or not, cash and credit isn't the only thing identity theft can buy. One person even managed to buy a $400k home another person's identity. How about having a $400k mortgage in your name without even realizing it? This criminal hasn't been sentenced yet, but she faces a minimum of 2 years in prison. I just wonder if she'll serve the minimum, or will the judges finally start cracking down.
A Lucrative Crime
Identity theft is one of the most lucrative crimes out there and until the law really cracks down on these criminals, we're all going to be at risk. When someone can get $1.5 million in credit that wasn't his and only do three years of time, what kind of message is that sending? Let's get real, folks!