The protection of personal data is one of the greatest challenges for both individuals and organizations worldwide. Security breaches and the constant exposure of confidential information online have led to an exponential increase in cybercrimes. Among these, one of the most devastating due to its financial, legal, and personal implications is the theft or fraudulent assumption of a person’s identity. Understanding what identity theft is, thoroughly knowing the difference between impersonation and identity theft, and applying technical and legal measures to prevent it is essential.
\nIn this article, we explain what the crime of identity theft is, its criminal characteristics, the methods used by cybercriminals, and, most importantly, how companies and users can protect themselves using cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence, and KYC verification processes.
","strapi_component":"blog.content-rich-text"},{"id":1109,"name":null,"description":"Request a demo of Tecalis anti-fraud controls
","button":"Free demo","url":"https://www.tecalis.com/request-demo","blank":true,"image":null,"strapi_component":"blog.cta"},{"id":4575,"text":"Identity theft is a continuous and systematic illegal act through which an individual (or a criminal organization) appropriates a third party’s personal, financial, and identification information to fully assume that person’s legal status before society, public institutions, and private entities.
\nThis is not a simple, momentary deception. It involves the theft of unique identifiers that legally define a person: full name, National Identity Document (DNI/NIE/Passport), Social Security number, fingerprints, medical records, and banking credentials. With this data, the criminal operates in legal transactions as if they were the actual victim, signing contracts, incurring debts, opening bank accounts, or committing other crimes under the victim’s name.
\nOne of the most common mistakes is using both terms as synonyms. However, from a legal, technical, and operational standpoint, the difference between impersonation and identity theft is substantial:
\nAccording to cybersecurity studies, it takes a victim an average of 30 to 90 days to realize that their identity has been compromised. In many cases, the fraud is only discovered years later, when the person tries to apply for a mortgage and is rejected because they appear on a delinquent debtors’ list, or when they receive a court summons for illegal activities they never committed.
","color":"default","strapi_component":"blog.callout"},{"id":985,"title":null,"alt":"A person analyzing information online about identity theft and personal data theft.","figcaption":null,"link":null,"blank":null,"image":{"id":5167,"name":"usurpacion-identidad-interior-1.png","hash":"e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f","sha256":null,"ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":654.9,"url":"/uploads/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.png","provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"created_at":"2026-05-08T11:19:35.000Z","updated_at":"2026-05-08T11:19:48.000Z","alternativeText":"","caption":"","width":954,"height":525,"formats":{"thumbnail":{"name":"thumbnail_eCMR_interior_1 (6).png","hash":"thumbnail_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","width":245,"height":135,"size":66.63,"path":null,"url":"/uploads/thumbnail_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.png"},"medium":{"name":"medium_eCMR_interior_1 (6).png","hash":"medium_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","width":750,"height":413,"size":562.91,"path":null,"url":"/uploads/medium_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.png"},"small":{"name":"small_eCMR_interior_1 (6).png","hash":"small_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","width":500,"height":275,"size":247.46,"path":null,"url":"/uploads/small_e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.png"}},"previewUrl":null,"localFile___NODE":"edc4caee-7c5d-578d-a69f-33735e635d58"},"strapi_component":"blog.image"},{"id":4576,"text":"The legal framework is clear when it comes to punishing these practices. In Spain, the crime of identity theft is classified under the category of forgery within the legal system. Specifically, Article 401 of the Criminal Code states the following: “Anyone who assumes another person’s civil status shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of six months to three years.” Unlike other purely property-related offenses, this criminal offense seeks to safeguard legal certainty and the fundamental right to identity. It is not simply a matter of misuse of data or an occasional lie; the law requires the assumption of another person’s identity in legal transactions that creates total confusion regarding the authorship of acts and contracts. Supreme Court case law has clarified that, for this conduct to be punishable under this provision, there must be an intent to exercise the victim’s rights and take actions on their behalf, effectively supplanting their position in society in a malicious manner and with a certain appearance of legality before third parties.
\nFor courts and experts in criminal law to consider that this crime has been effectively committed, the following requirements for identity theft must be met:
\nThe legal consequences are severe. In addition to prison sentences of six months to three years under the Penal Code, the offender faces subsidiary civil liability. This means they must compensate the victim for moral damages suffered and reputational harm, and fully reimburse the financial losses resulting from fraudulently signed contracts (loans, purchases, bank overdrafts).
","strapi_component":"blog.content-rich-text"},{"id":4577,"text":"The professionalization of cybercrime has caused techniques for stealing personal information and subsequent identity theft to evolve at a dizzying pace. Organized gangs and cybercriminals no longer rely on a single attack vector, but instead deploy hybrid strategies that combine the most sophisticated technology with classic social engineering principles.
\nThe operational basis for the vast majority of contemporary identity thefts lies in the initial, covert extraction of data. In this threat landscape, psychological manipulation tactics remain the most vulnerable link within any cybersecurity architecture:
\nCriminal networks sell so-called \"Fullz.\" These are complete profiles that include the victim’s scanned ID, credit history, date of birth, account numbers, commonly used passwords, and even answers to security questions. These \"turnkey\" kits allow any buyer to carry out a full-scale identity theft in a matter of minutes.
","color":"default","strapi_component":"blog.callout"},{"id":1110,"name":null,"description":"Verify your identity with Tecalis KYC
","button":"Try our solution","url":"https://www.tecalis.com/products/identity-verification","blank":true,"image":null,"strapi_component":"blog.cta"},{"id":4578,"text":"As companies strengthen their cybersecurity, attackers are turning to highly technical methods such as SIM swapping. In this attack, the criminal deceives the mobile carrier by using previously stolen data to request a duplicate of the victim’s SIM card. Upon activation, the legitimate user immediately loses mobile service. From that moment on, the criminal intercepts all Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) SMS messages, breaching perimeter defenses and gaining full control of bank accounts.
\nOn the other hand, advances in Artificial Intelligence have greatly facilitated the creation of deepfakes and voice cloning. Today’s scammers can generate hyper-realistic videos or replicate a person’s exact vocal pattern using only brief snippets extracted from their social media. This sophisticated technology is used to breach security systems, allowing attackers to bypass basic biometric controls, deceive customer service representatives, and authorize fraudulent transactions in real time.
\nFinally, advanced document forgery is essential for carrying out identity theft in digital environments. Organized networks use professional IT tools to alter official identity documents, applying complex techniques such as digital face merging or precise manipulation of the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ). The primary goal of these alterations is to successfully bypass manual visual verifications during customer onboarding processes, enabling the criminal to operate within the system under the stolen identity.
","strapi_component":"blog.content-rich-text"},{"id":4579,"text":"Combating this threat requires a joint effort. It is not enough for users to be cautious; companies, which act as custodians of digital identities and financial services, must implement impenetrable technological barriers. At the user level, preventing identity theft involves applying a personal Zero Trust strategy:
\nFor companies in critical sectors (such as banks, fintechs, insurers, telecommunications, or cryptocurrency platforms), preventing identity theft of their customers goes beyond merely protecting their reputation. It is a strategic imperative and a fundamental pillar for ensuring operational security and maintaining user trust in the digital environment.
\nBeyond corporate protection, implementing these safeguards is an unavoidable requirement for strict regulatory compliance. Failure to comply with current legal regulations regarding data protection and citizen identification carries devastating consequences, including serious criminal risks for administrators and administrative fines in the millions. Effective prevention requires moving away from manual processes and adopting highly secure automated workflows.
","strapi_component":"blog.content-rich-text"},{"id":4581,"text":"European and international regulatory frameworks, such as the Sixth European Anti-Money Laundering Directive (6AMLD), the eIDAS Regulation, the PSD2/PSD3 regulations, and the requirements of SEPBLAC in Spain, require Obligated Entities to reliably identify their customers. To comply with these regulations without creating commercial friction, companies must integrate highly robust and automated Know Your Customer (KYC) processes directly into their digital onboarding workflows.
\nA technologically and legally advanced KYC process consists, at a minimum, of the following pillars:
\nFor companies to protect themselves against these threats without sacrificing the user experience or reducing their conversion rates, it is essential to integrate specialized RegTech technology. Leading solutions like Tecalis Identity have become the gold standard for preventing corporate identity theft.
\nTecalis stands out for implementing a next-generation automated KYC system (KYC 2nd Gen) designed to neutralize the most sophisticated attacks. Its platform combines network intelligence and advanced biometrics, mathematically comparing the document with the live face under ISO anti-deepfake regulations to block AI-based fraud. By integrating natively with telecommunications carriers, it performs silent validations of location and number authenticity. This strategic connection halts critical transactions at the slightest risk of interception, ensuring maximum security without adding friction for legitimate customers. Specifically, this technology secures processes through the following key features:
\nIf you suspect your identity has been compromised (you receive notifications of loans you didn’t request, strange charges, or are inexplicably denied credit), you must act as quickly as possible to mitigate legal and financial damage:
\nThe crime of identity theft is one of the most difficult financial and moral offenses to reverse. This difficulty stems from the high level of bureaucracy and legal red tape required for the victim to prove to various institutions that they truly “are not who the fraudulent document claims they are.”
\nFor this reason, the strongest line of defense does not lie in reacting after the attack, but in absolute anticipation. As scams evolve, the business community must take responsibility by integrating digital onboarding platforms equipped with biometric verification, real-time anti-fraud controls, and strict KYC protocols.
\nThe widespread implementation of these advanced technological solutions goes beyond the mere protection of corporate financial statements. Ultimately, they erect an unbreakable security barrier that prevents fraud and guarantees citizens’ peace of mind, privacy, and legal security in today’s digital society.
","strapi_component":"blog.content-rich-text"},{"id":10,"title":"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)","list":"Learn about the best ways to avoid the risk of identity theft
","button":"Schedule a consultation with an expert","url":"https://www.tecalis.com/request-demo","blank":true,"image":null,"strapi_component":"blog.cta"}],"blog_categories":[{"id":29,"name":"Fraud Prevention","url":"fraud-prevention"},{"id":24,"name":"Identity Verification","url":"identity-verification"},{"id":14,"name":"Risk Management","url":"risk-management"}],"reading_time":"Tiempo de lectura: 6 min"},"site":{"siteMetadata":{"title":"Tecalis","twitterHandle":"Tecalis"}}},"pageContext":{"id":"Blog-posts_427","title":"What Is Identity Theft: A Comprehensive Guide, Examples, and Applications","langKey":"en","location":"https://tecalis.com/blog/identity-theft-what-it-is-crime-prevention","dateFormat":"MMMM D, YYYY","translates":{"en":"/blog/identity-theft-what-it-is-crime-prevention","es":"/es/blog/usurpacion-identidad-que-es-delito-prevencion"},"images":{"edc4caee-7c5d-578d-a69f-33735e635d58":{"data":{"image":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/png;base64,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"},"images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e0f2dd42113090a393473543b02bd011/59ffd/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.webp","srcSet":"/static/e0f2dd42113090a393473543b02bd011/7b6bd/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.webp 350w,\n/static/e0f2dd42113090a393473543b02bd011/aa5f2/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.webp 512w,\n/static/e0f2dd42113090a393473543b02bd011/806ca/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.webp 520w,\n/static/e0f2dd42113090a393473543b02bd011/59ffd/e_CMR_interior_1_6_293177447f.webp 572w","sizes":"(min-width: 572px) 572px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":572,"height":315}}}}},"e930019c-f6ba-5a1f-9b41-574f1b3018e5":{"data":{"image":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/png;base64,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"},"images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/c387b301e21a1442f63ffd17d3fc5cf6/59ffd/usurpacion_identidad_interior_2_2c857f001e.webp","srcSet":"/static/c387b301e21a1442f63ffd17d3fc5cf6/7b6bd/usurpacion_identidad_interior_2_2c857f001e.webp 350w,\n/static/c387b301e21a1442f63ffd17d3fc5cf6/aa5f2/usurpacion_identidad_interior_2_2c857f001e.webp 512w,\n/static/c387b301e21a1442f63ffd17d3fc5cf6/806ca/usurpacion_identidad_interior_2_2c857f001e.webp 520w,\n/static/c387b301e21a1442f63ffd17d3fc5cf6/59ffd/usurpacion_identidad_interior_2_2c857f001e.webp 572w","sizes":"(min-width: 572px) 572px, 100vw"},"sources":[]},"width":572,"height":315}}}}}},"advertisements":{},"advertisementsForms":{},"ctas":{},"videos":{},"cookies":true}}, "staticQueryHashes": ["1208480927","235538228","2927780632","3803179178","536423426","63159454"]}