Whether you have been a victim of identity theft or not, the author of the article "Identity Theft Is a Growing Danger" has educated a neutral audience about different ways identities are stolen. Overall, the article used pathos effectively to support the reporting of identity theft by capturing quotes from real identity theft victims, and the author used scare tactics to inform the neutral audience about the various ways in which identity theft of identity can take place and to help protect your identity online and offline. . Based on the article, scare tactics were used to raise awareness about identity theft, the author wrote to educate about the growing danger of identity theft using a pathetic approach and the article was effective by listing all the various ways to protect your identity on and offline. Consumers need to be informed that identity theft can be stolen from social media websites, emails, or even after a death. After gaining access, hackers can obtain a large amount of personal information from social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Another popular way for identity thieves to operate is through "phishing" scams. Flamini reported for fiscal year 2011 that more than 51 percent of victims were targeted via "phishing" scams. “Phishing” scams attempt to acquire personal information via email. Some clues to identifying “phishing” emails might be hyperlinks in an email, incorrect spelling and grammar, and spoofing of popular websites or companies. “From 2000 to 2010, cyber attacks increase in scope and frequency. Little progress has been made in developing safeguards” (Flamini, “Improving information security.”). Another theft with a scary twist occurs after the death of a family member. Identity theft can be left to the family to steal… middle of paper… to be protected from identity theft. Kirchheimer's education on the growing trend of identity theft appears to play a key role in protecting everyone's identity in the future. Ultimately, Kichheimer's goal is to educate the general public regarding identity theft, whatever the approach may be pathetic or scare tactics, an effective article will show various ways to protect identities online and offline. Works Cited Flamini, Roland. “Improving cybersecurity.” CQ Researcher 15 February 2013: 157-80. Network. December 21, 2013. Kirchheimer, Sid. “Identity theft is a growing danger.” Identity theft. Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. In question. Rpt. from "'They Stole My Name!' Identity thieves target 11 million Americans every year — here's what you can do to protect yourself." Saturday Evening Post (January-February 2011). Opposing points of view in context. Network. December 21st. 2013.