• The Internet has made identity theft easier for cyber criminals.internet image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
  
  The rise of the Internet gave way to a new brand of criminals who can use online information to steal your identity. Many people use the Internet daily to shop, do banking or pay credit cards. Although websites have become much more secure, cyber criminals constantly come up with new ways to steal information from you. This has created a need for laws to protect you against Internet identity theft.
  
  

Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act

• Though not solely designated to protect against Internet identity theft, the 1998 Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act covers it. The Act protects people against identity theft and recognizes that the Internet can act as a means of obtaining personal information for use in a crime. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice states that the act was used in a case against a Florida defendant who used stolen identities to attempt to obtain loans over the Internet.
  
  

Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

• President George W. Bush signed the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act into law in 2004. Developed in response to the growing number of online identity thefts, the act protects both American consumers and the nation as a whole. It automatically tacks on an extra two years' prison sentence for those convicted of using stolen personal information to impersonate someone. The act further protects homeland security by giving harsher punishments to criminals who use the information to commit acts of terrorism. Rather than the extra two years, these criminals would instead receive five years added to the prison sentence.
  
  

Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act

• In 2003, President George W. Bush enacted the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Under this act, people can get an annual free credit report from the three consumer credit reporting agencies. By staying aware of their credit histories, people can catch identity theft early. You can apply online for your credit report. Congress suggested the act as a response to the increase of identity theft via the Internet.