Identity Theft Statistics - Identity Theft Statistical Figures from the Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission compiles information to share with the public annually relating to identity theft. It appears that the numbers of people being affected [http://www.identitytheftoptions.com/identity-theft-victim.html] by it continue to rise each year. Their statistics include reports of internet, phone, credit card, bank, and utility fraud. In each type of case someone has taken someone else's information and used it to buy other items or to steal assets from that individual.
In 2005 there were a total of 685,000 identity theft cases reported in the United States. The results of these incidents totaled more than $680 million. The majority of these cases took place in urban areas located in the Western part of the US. The two areas where identity theft ran rampant were money wiring scams and online auction fraud. The concept of money wiring involves people being asked to cash fake checks or money orders that they think are real. They are then asked to send the money back to the other country. The person in the US who cashed them is liable for the money loss the bank incurred.
Credit card is very common because it seems to be an easy form of personal information to obtain. Bank fraud is also common because so many people complete their banking online and the account information can be compromised. Make sure you only use online sites for purchases, payments, and banking if the site is secure.
Phishing is the most common way that criminals gain personal information online. They send people legitimate looking e-mails from a common business. They tell the individual that they need to verify their account information. If you reply to such inquiries you can be sure it is going back to a scammer.
No legitimate online businesses ever contact customers via e-mail for their personal information. Make sure you delete the e-mail and report it to the company that is supposedly came from. Approximately 46% of all identity theft cases are due to phishing so be very careful with this type of bait. If you think the request may be from your creditor call them directly to find out.
In 2005 there were a total of 685,000 identity theft cases reported in the United States. The results of these incidents totaled more than $680 million. The majority of these cases took place in urban areas located in the Western part of the US. The two areas where identity theft ran rampant were money wiring scams and online auction fraud. The concept of money wiring involves people being asked to cash fake checks or money orders that they think are real. They are then asked to send the money back to the other country. The person in the US who cashed them is liable for the money loss the bank incurred.
Credit card is very common because it seems to be an easy form of personal information to obtain. Bank fraud is also common because so many people complete their banking online and the account information can be compromised. Make sure you only use online sites for purchases, payments, and banking if the site is secure.
Phishing is the most common way that criminals gain personal information online. They send people legitimate looking e-mails from a common business. They tell the individual that they need to verify their account information. If you reply to such inquiries you can be sure it is going back to a scammer.
No legitimate online businesses ever contact customers via e-mail for their personal information. Make sure you delete the e-mail and report it to the company that is supposedly came from. Approximately 46% of all identity theft cases are due to phishing so be very careful with this type of bait. If you think the request may be from your creditor call them directly to find out.