Identity theft - cases where thieves steal your personal data to rip through your bank or credit card accounts is a fast-growing crime. Home office statistics estimate a £1.7 billion loss over the past 12 months, which, in cash terms, is far ahead of mugging. In the US, where the crime is even more rampant, (30)________.

The government believes that there are at least 100,000 identity theft victims every year. Others put the figure significantly higher, (31)_______: identity thieves often stop short of clearing out an account to keep their crime profile low. Identity theft flourishes today because many financial transactions are not face to face. Once criminals get hold of data such as your bank account number and address, they can go on a spending spree. Terrifyingly, they do not need all your details; just a few will do.

'It's easy,' says Glen Hastings, a reformed identity thief and author of Identity Theft, Inc. The only prerequisite is the ability to read and write. (32)______, but it's far from essential. I stole several hundred identities in my career. Hastings' modus operandi, or method of committing identify thefts, was to discover individuals with excellent credit records, (33)______. By impersonating these pillars of financial rectitude, he borrowed large amounts in their name - money that he never, of course, repaid.

In the US, one identity victim had her details (34)________ that a warrant was put out in her name. The real criminal - who was also a drug dealer - never stopped using the victim's name, even when caught and imprisoned, which led to further problems.

Question 30.

        A. figures point to a staggering £28 billion a year

B. volumes peak at a staggering £28 billion a year

C. numbers hover around a stunning £28 billion a year

D. statistics amount to a stunning £28 billion a year

Question 31.

A. because they have seen higher numbers in other parts of the world

B. for identity theft is more prevalent in urban areas rather than rural ones

C. since the repercussions are much more far-reaching than expectations

D. as some people may not even know their accounts have been raided

Question 32.

A. Being tech-savvy is also a must in this job

B. It certainly helps to be computer literate

C. Several criminals are found to be young adults

D. Some identity thieves have a dashing appearance

Question 33.

A. by which banks often express gratitude

B. by whom banks often show appreciation

C. for whom banks often show appreciation

        D. for which banks often express gratitude

Question 34.

A. enough being combined with a $$$$50,000 criminal spending spree

B. too much familiarized with a $$$$50,000 criminal spending spree

C. so closely associated with a $$$$50,000 criminal spending spree

        D. such extremely similar to a $$$$50,000 criminal spending spree

30. THPT Chuyên Trần Phú - Hải Phòng (Tốt nghiệp THPT 2025 môn Tiếng Anh)