The widespread use of the online communication has made Internet consumer protection a matter of increasing concern. With the Internet becoming a primary setting for the consumer market, more and more issues are being faced as consumers shop, bank, and perform various other business activities online - check fraud, credit card fraud, undelivered merchandise, email scams, and phishing websites. Together, these types of problems often comprise an umbrella issue known as identity theft, which involves a consumer's personal information being stolen for another's gain. According to federal law, fraud of any type is unlawful and punishable by law. In particular, the Identity Theft of 1998 has established the theft of one's identity or aspects of one's identity as a federal crime. When identity theft or other unlawful practices take place on the Internet, consumer protection complaints can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission, IC3, or state consumer protection agencies.