Identity fraud usually happens when a person steals personal or financial information of another and uses the information to make purchases or enter into other kinds of transactions. By posing as another person, the person operating the deceit can often pilfer money and damage the credit and good name of the victim. Identity fraud has increased in recent years because of the large increase in Internet-based activity. Whether shopping on non-secure websites or providing personal data through non-secure websites, people often unwittingly expose their personal financial and other data. As a result, others access the information and use it until they are either caught or the person’s credit is exhausted. It can take years to recover from such a crime.