The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act

The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, enacted in 1998, is a U.S. law designed to combat identity theft by making it a federal crime. It criminalizes illegally using someone else's personal information—such as Social Security numbers or credit card details—to commit fraud or other crimes. The law also prohibits possessing, transferring, or using stolen identity information. Its goal is to deter identity theft, protect consumers, and provide law enforcement with stronger tools to identify and prosecute offenders, thereby reducing financial losses and personal harm caused by identity theft.