“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their life a mimic, their passions a quotation” (Oscar Wilde). This quote illustrates how in our world a person's identity can easily be changed. Many Americans are affected by this problem today. Citizens, criminals, and the government all play a role in this process. However, many disagree on whether identity theft should be allowed in our country. Based on the history of identity theft and the relationships between American citizens, government, and this problem, identity theft should be abolished in America. The history of identity theft began around the 1950s, before our 49th state joined the United States. Identity theft was a physical problem. The criminal would kill the victim, then take the victim's name and personal information ("History of Identity Theft"). The crime was originally not motivated by a desire for money, but rather as a way to acquire a new identity ("History of Identity Theft"). Years later, however, the crime began to evolve into a way to get money. Criminals have started using the telephone to commit their crimes. Nearly 100% of identity fraud attempts occurred through the use of the telephone in the 1960s and 1970s (“History of Identity Theft”). As this type of theft became more known, it occurred less often. The thieves began rummaging through victims' trash, trying to obtain credit card numbers and other personal information (“History of Identity Theft”). Today, credit card data theft has increased 50% from 2005 to 2010 (Anderson). For this reason, companies have become more secretive about consumers' private information ("Identity theft hits 27 million since '98"). Identity theft developed... mid-paper... among the American people at the same time. By eliminating identity theft in the United States, the well-being of our beloved country would significantly improve. Works SitedAnderson, Craig J. “Identity Theft Becomes Costly for Victims.” United States today. Np, 2013. Web. April 22, 2014. Chappell, Robert P. Childhood Identity Theft: What Every Parent Needs to Know. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2013. Print.Dadisho, ed. “Identity Theft and the Police Response: The Problem.” Police Chief's Magazine. Np, 2005. Web. April 22, 2014. “History of Identity Theft.” History of identity theft. Np, 2009. Web. May 3, 2014. "Identity theft has affected 27 million since '98." Chicago Tribune. Np, 4 September 2003. Web. 29 April 2014. Kiesbye, Stefan, ed. Identity theft. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2012. Print.""Total identity theft" on the rise, fear of authorities." CBS News. NP, 23 October 2012. Web. 29 April. 2014.