paper tripping

English

Noun

paper tripping (plural not attested)

1. (criminology, dated, uncommon) A form of identity theft in which a person illicitly obtains a new identity, usually by assuming the identity of a deceased person.
   • 1992, Trent Sands, Reborn with Credit:

     The information of the European Common Market has created a paper-tripping paradise.

   • 2012, Hank Prunckun, Henry W. Prunckun, Counterintelligence Theory and Practice, page 114:

     At one time, false documents were commonly referred to as simply fake IDs, and the act of passing oneself off as another character was known as paper tripping.

   • 2013, Kirby Edwards, Carry Your Name - Drive Your Purpose, page 63:

     Garnet explains in fine detail to Candice that, back in the day, it was possible to change your identification successfully but it was illegal. They called it paper tripping and it is still illegal today.

   • 2022, Antonio Brown, How To Disappear For Beginners, page 85:

     Paper tripping, also known as ghosting, is a form of identity theft in a person stealing the identity of a specific deceased person.