how often does indentity theft happen in the U.S.?

Answer 1

I don't know the exact numbers but it has become one of worst non-violent crimes in our society. It affects all individuals but especially, the elderly. A couple of my friends had their debit cards stolen. Fortunately, they reported it right away and no major damage. People just need to be aware and take precautions such as shredding their mail, all receipts and anything with your ssn or credit card # on it. Use passwords on the computer and if it is not a protected site, do not give out personal info like your ssn. Keep track of your bills (especially credit card statements) and call your credit card company to ask them what kind of security features they have to protect against fraud. You can also request your credit info from Equifax (there are others) each year to see what companies have received info about you. If you take these precautions, identity theft will probably not happen to you, but that is not a guarantee. Just be Careful out there!!