US ADULTS: MORE PRONE TO IDENTITY THEFT

US ADULTS: MORE PRONE TO IDENTITY THEFT

US ADULTS: MORE PRONE TO IDENTITY THEFT

According to the recently announced results of a survey performed in 2008 by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 11.7 million people, that is to say a 5% of all people 16 or older in the United States, were victims of identity theft. In addition, financial losses due to identity theft tallied at more than $17 billion.

The most prevalent type of identity theft is the unauthorized use or attempted use of an existing credit card account and about 6,2 million people were victims of this crime. Other 4.4 million people reported the misuse or attempted misuse of a banking account, such as a debit, checking or savings account. Another 1.7 million persons experienced the fraudulent misuse of their information to open a new account, and about 618,900 persons reported the misuse of their information to commit other crimes, such as fraudulently obtaining medical care or government benefits or providing false information to law enforcement during a crime or traffic stop. What's more, approximately 1.8 million of those surveyed experienced multiple types of violations.

According to the survey, the attacks and victimizations caused approximately 23 percent of those affected to suffer out-of-pocket losses. The average loss was $1,870, with half losing $200 or less.

Cleaning up the mess caused by the identity theft cost most people a day or less in time, however a third spent upwards of a month clearing up the problems. Those who spent more than that reported finding the whole ordeal incredibly distressing.

Of the 40 percent who knew how the theft occurred, 30 percent believed their information was stolen during a purchase or other transaction. Some 20 percent believed the information was stolen from a wallet or checkbook, while 14 percent believed the information was taken from personnel or other files at the office.

Paying a close attention to the above numbers is not only shocking but an eye-opener of the importance of having strengthen security measures so that we can have an all-time control of our personal belongings. It is quite common to think that identity theft occurs only to other people but, in fact, every one of us can be a victim of identity theft.

Even when you are doing online commercial activities you have to double check that the website provides you with an automated encrypted system so that your information reaches the recipient in a way that only he can view it and access it.

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