Internet Fraud and Cyber Scams

Identity Theft: Fastest Growing Crime:

Whether buying online or at a bricks-and-mortar store, shoppers should take extra precautions to safeguard their personal information these next few weeks, according to law enforcement and state officials.

According to the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.



During the holiday shopping season, when many are spending more than usual, consumers are more exposed to potential scams and fraud, said Hugh Williams, identity theft program administrator of the division.

Identity theft tactics run the gamut, from stealing purses or wallets to obtain credit card numbers to such high-tech crimes as computers hacking.

Recently, ATM skimming has been making a comeback in the Baltimore area, according to Williams.