ID theft recovery remains struggle
It's been nearly 20 years since John Webb found out his identity had been stolen, a revelation that led to hours on the phone with credit card companies, banks and government agencies.
Today, Webb helps prosecute identity thieves, who are growing in number and advancing technologically, targeting everyone from senior citizens to large law firms. "It's the fastest-growing crime in the country in terms of volume," said Webb, an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville. "It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."
Though the legal system is adapting, going after identity thieves still is a challenge, experts say. Identity theft is difficult to prosecute because it often goes undetected for months or years, and culprits are hard to track down. And it's still difficult for victims to go after the hackers' money in civil court. Outdated case law and statutes that don't address modern technology are part of the problem, attorneys say.
