IDENTITY THEFT STATISTICS

Even a casual glance at a few identity theft statistics reveals a very disturbing picture. Consider the following:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that one in four U.S. households has been a victim of identity theft in the past five years.

According to the FTC, identity theft complaints are broken down as follows:

**About 50% reported that a credit card was opened in their name;

**About 25% reported that a new telephone, cellular, or other service was established in ther name;

**About 16% reported that a bank account was opened in their name, or unauthorized withdrawals had been made from their account;

**About 8% reported that a fraudulent document, like a driver's license, was obtained in their name;

• Last year, almost 10 million people were victims of identity theft, according to the FTC.

• The cost to victims of identity theft ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

• Victims can spend anywhere from six months to two years recovering from identity theft.

• According to the Federal Trade Commission, it takes an average of 12 months for a victim of identity theft to even become aware of the fact they have been victimized.

• Most surveys indicate that the cost of identity theft to both individuals and businesses totals 56 billion dollars a year.

• The Federal Trade Commission reported that 5% of the complaints they received in 2005 concerning identity theft involved children younger than 18. Unfortunately, the percentage of children who become victimized by identity theft is continually on the increase.

• You are 26 times more likely to be a victim of ID theft than a violent crime.

• You are 1,826 times more likely to be a victim of ID theft than to be murdered.

• You are 21 times more likely to be a victim of ID theft than to have your home burglarized.

• You are 13 times more likely to be a victim of ID theft than being divorced.

• You are 2 times more likely to be a victim of ID theft than being in an auto accident.

• One in three consumers (33%) think there is really nothing that can be done to prevent identity theft.

Source: Federal Trade Commission, The Gallop Organization Poll, and Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse

The GOOD NEWS is that there is much that can
be done to protect yourself from identity theft and
drastically reduce the likelihood of becoming an identity theft statistic.

Identity Theft Statistics

Is identity theft really that serious of a problem? Is it something you should give much thought? Absolutely!