Posts Tagged ‘identity theft statistics’

One in six will fall victim to ID theft, stats predict

Friday, April 8th, 2011

New types of crime are developing in this new age of information every day. Identity theft is the most frequently committed white collar crime in the United States. Identity theft is defined as the fraudulent acquisition of money, credit, goods or services by pretending to be someone else. One in six people can expect to become victims, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Identity thieves obtain their victims’ personal information in various ways. They steal mail, shoulder surf by looking over your shoulder as you enter your PIN at an ATM or point of sale machine, or steal your information online. Thieves use a technique called phishing, in which the victim receives a fraudulent e-mail requesting personal information. Another popular ploy is the offering of a fake employment opportunity.

Identity theft has lasting effects on its victims. Forty-seven percent say they have trouble getting credit, while 11 percent say it causes difficulties in getting employment. More than 70 percent say they experience trouble having the false information removed from their credit reports. And 40 percent say the emotional and personal struggles that come with recovering from identity theft don’t just affect them – it affects their loved ones as well.

You might think that people know better than to give out their personal information via e-mail or telephone to people they don’t know. But according to a recent study at the University of Indiana, 14 percent of phishing e-mails are successful.

People are being fooled currently by a variety of charity scams in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. Research the person or organization requesting donations before you write that check. You can check with the Better Business Bureau or the FBI.

Get smart. Learn all you can about identity theft, and make sure you’re protected. Your actions are your first line of defense against identity thieves.

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Get smart about ID theft – get the help you need!

Friday, March 25th, 2011

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Recent headlines about data breaches and losses of personal information have prompted many companies to advertise products or services to help consumers prevent or minimize their risk of identity theft.

The Federal Trade Commission urges consumers to be sure they understand what they’re getting when they sign up for a product to protect their information. Consumers should also be aware of the rights and protections available to them under federal or state laws – these can help protect your identity, as well as help you recover from identity theft at no cost. Knowing your rights can help you determine what commercial product or service may be appropriate for you.

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, you may be entitled to two kinds of free fraud alerts: initial and extended. An initial alert can be placed if you suspect you are about to become or have become a victim of identity theft. It’s good for 90 days. An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. To place it, you will need to have been victimized and provide a police report stating so.

You can also place a credit freeze on your credit report, which will mean potential creditors and others can’t access it unless you lift the freeze either permanently or temporarily. A freeze is different from a fraud alert in that it stops all access to your credit report, while an alert allows creditors to get your report after verifying your identity.

Identity theft protection companies offer a range of products and services. Some of them only offer to lock, flag or freeze your credit report, something you can do yourself.

Other services will monitor your credit report, and notify you of the activity. Again, this is something you can do yourself. Still other services offer to help you rebuild your identity in the event of an identity theft. These require a power of attorney, so that they can act on your behalf when dealing with credit bureaus or creditors.

Many companies offer additional services, including removing your name from mailing lists or pre-screened offers of credit, while others offer reimbursement if you experience a financial loss due to ID theft. There are also those that monitor your personal information online, and notify you if your identity has been exposed to possible theft.

Before you sign up for any of these services, compare what they offer, read the fine print, and determine what will work best for you.

But do something. Statistics show that millions of Americans became victims of identity theft last year, and the numbers are growing. Be a smart consumer and get proactive when it comes to your personal information.

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Concerns about ID theft up; attitudes about security down

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are concerned about their personal information being stolen, including information about their bank accounts, credit cards and identity, according to a recent survey.

Of those surveyed, 65 percent said their biggest fear was having their bank account, credit card or personal information stolen from their computers. The second biggest concern for consumers is phishing for personal information and malware.

Of those surveyed, a staggering 81 percent said their computers had been infected by a virus at one point, and 29 percent of them said they had been victimized in the last three months.

But despite all of this, surveyors found that consumers still have sloppy security practices. Only 59 percent of the survey’s respondents had updated their computers’ anti-virus software, and only 53 percent had enabled a firewall on their home routers or computers.

The survey shows, by its high number of victimizations, that the number of online hackers and thieves is ever rising. Criminals are getting more and more sophisticated, and more skilled at identifying potential security holes in a consumer’s home network.

Armed with consumer’s personal information cyber criminals can deplete bank accounts and harm credit ratings, which costs consumers significant time and effort to reverse the damage.

The survey consisted of 1,200 web users from 18 to 55 years old, with at least one personal computer in their homes and a broadband connection, who spend a few hours a month browsing the Internet from their homes.

These statistics are why it’s crucial to be sure your information is protected. You can’t be relaxed about protecting your personal information – you must be vigilant. But you don’t have to go it alone.
LifeLock can help.

LifeLock will monitor for all credit and non-credit related threats to your personal information, and you’ll be notified immediately, so that any attempts at stealing your identity and ruining your credit are nipped in the bud.

Call LifeLock today. Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”

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LifeLock offers must-have protection

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Despite the ever-rising number of identity theft incidents, many people still don’t understand what it is or how it works.

Identity theft occurs when a thief gains access to personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth. Thieves will take that information and use it to obtain credit cards, get jobs, and apply for payday and mortgage loans. They will even commit crimes using the stolen information, so that the victim is violated twice.

The incidents of identity theft are on the rise, and there are some statistics that you should pay attention to. Up to 10 million Americans fall victim to incidents of identity theft with 12 percent of victims being arrested for crimes committed using their identities. One-third of victims have reported fraud involving checking accounts or stolen debit cards. Sixty-six percent of victims have to open new credit card accounts. Twenty-eight percent of victims’ identities were used to secure a cell phone.

In some cases, the person committing the theft is known by the victim. In fact, 43 percent of victims know who took their information. Other incidents include 14 to 25 percent of victims who think the thief works at a business they have frequented. And a growing percentage involves parents stealing the identities of their own children.

The time it takes for some victims to clear up the mess caused by identity theft can range from a few hours to hundreds of hours. Up to 32 percent of victims spend four to six months trying to resolve their cases. The average victim can lose over $14,000 in wages because of days away from work spent trying to straighten out their financial situations.

But you can protect yourself. LifeLock offers proactive services that will monitor and detect any fraudulent activity, and you will be notified immediately. Call LifeLock today – you can’t afford not to.

Receive 30 days free and get a 10 percent discount on enrollment with the LifeLock Promo Code “Defense.”

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