2006-09-15 10:58:34 · 9 answers · asked by GetDownWitIt 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
It is incredibly common
In 2005 there were 8.9 million Identity theft victims
Average Fraud amount $6400
Total fraud in 2005 $56.6 million (that we know of)
90% of compromised data is NOT Via the internet (good old paper)
30% is via lost or stolen wallets, check books, credit cards
Almost half (47 percent) of all identity theft is perpetrated by friends, neighbors, in-home employees, family members or relatives - someone known
Nearly 70 percent of consumers are shredding documents, so that trash as a source of data compromise is now less than 1 percent
To the guy that doesn't know anyone personally who was a victim, I don't know how that can be. Although I have to ad 2 years ago I didn't know anyone personally either. Today I have a brother, a niece, a nephew and a brother-in-law who have been victims in the last 18 months.
2006-09-16 05:23:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Extremely common and getting worse. I've seen one set of statistics in the paper indicating 10% of the population would be victims.
If you're concerned, there are a number of steps you can take to help protect yourself. Number one is to monitor your credit report regularly. There's a great service I've heard about that helps with this and also guarantees that if any identity theft happens to you while you're their client, they'll fix it and reimburse any damages up to a million dollars. More info on that is here - http://necessaryvirtues.com/recommends/lifelock
And here's another similar service - http://necessaryvirtues.com/recommends/myfico-identity
You may also be interested in a great downloadable ebook on personal finance that has a very extensive chapter on identity theft and how to protect yourself - http://necessaryvirtues.com/recommends/money-puzzle
There's also an excerpts edition of that book that you can download for free - http://necessaryvirtues.com/recommends/money-puzzle-free
2006-09-15 11:19:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am doubtful ... but I'm a cynic anyways.
I do not know anyone who's had identity theft.
I've know people who lost their wallet and had a credit card used before it was switched off, but that's as close as it gets.
I am sure it's happening, but all those commercials are using fear based tactics to get us to buy a product.
I have lived in Los Angeles (speaking of fear) for 20 years and I've never seen a gun or heard a gun shot. I've never seen a hold up or a live car chase. No one has ever broken into my car, stolen my phone, stolen my wallet. I've never been accosted, threatened or scared.
My world, at least, seems to be a pretty safe place.
2006-09-15 11:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
93 million Americans since the massive Choicepoint identity theft disclosure in 2005.
Want to bet it will be over 100 million by the end of year?
See the source below as if it comes to fruition, that 100
million figure will merely be just a minor bump.
2006-09-16 19:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by Identity Theft Secrets 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Has anyone noticed that nearly all of the responses citing rising incidents and how afraid you should be -- REAL statistics show identity theft is actually declining and by a lot...... ALL advertising is lying,.... ALL ads are lies and ALL admen are LIARS....
2016-01-17 06:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by LAWRENCE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very common and easy to do. That's why I mess up my own credit before someone else does!
2006-09-15 11:38:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send me your social security number and driver license number and mother's maiden name and I'll tell you.
2006-09-16 15:59:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had three problem in two years
2006-09-15 11:06:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
TOO common...My understanding is that it is epidemic
2006-09-15 11:00:59 · answer #9 · answered by Annie R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋