Originally published March 14 2005
Identity theft impacts nearly 10 million Americans annually
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Federal Trade Commission has released a study that indicates almost ten million Americans are victimized by identity thieves annually. Identity theft appears to be becoming more common, with complaints rising 15% last year alone. Consumers absorb about $5 billion in economic loss each year from ID theft, and businesses absorb another $48 billion.
That statement comes from attorney Steve Weisman, author of "50 Ways to Protect Your Identity and Your Credit."
Identity theft involves someone else using your personal information to commit fraud and other crimes in your name.
While two-thirds of ID theft victims had one or more credit cards misused, about 20 percent said the fraud involved their bank accounts.
Nearly one in five reported that the thief used their personal information to open other accounts in their name, such as loans, cell phone service, and other credit cards.
Fifteen percent of all victims had their identities used in non-financial ways --- the thief got a drivers license, a new Social Security card, even a job --- using the stolen information.
Big cases, such as last months' announcement by data broker ChoicePoint (search) that thieves had obtained sensitive information on as many as 400,000 people grab the headlines.
They never bought anything using our credit card, they just wanted cash.
While computers get a lot of the blame, the fact is that most methods of obtaining this information are decidedly low-tech.
Weisman himself had his credit card stolen from a locker at his health club.
4. If, like most people, you still use the postal service to pay your bills, don't leave them in your mailbox at the end of your driveway and flip up the red flag.
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