IDENTITY THEFT FACTS
Statistics, Prevention, Protection
Identity Theft Facts - THE NUMBERS
Nearly 30 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the past 5 years.
Over 9 million people per year are now becoming victims.
Identity Theft Statistics - THE COST
300 million hours/year spent trying to prevent ID theft, stop the fraud and clear up credit reports.
5 billion Dollars/year in expenses (individuals)
48 billion Dollars/year in losses (financial institutions and business)
Identity Theft Facts - Protection & Prevention
Here are the most common ways crooks use to steal your personal identifying information, such as your name, address, Social Security and credit card numbers, in order to commit fraud or other crimes in your name:
Friends and Family - This is the most common form of identity theft. Occurs when you leave your wallet or personal documents around people or places you trust. This form of ID theft accounts for 47% of all identity crimes in the US.
Credit Card Skimming - Occurs when your credit card number and information is copied after you use ATMs, Gas Pumps, or any other Credit Card machine that has been adulterated by the thieves.
Medical Identity Theft - Occurs when your identity is used to gain access to prescriptions, doctors, dentists, and medical procedures, and then send you the bill.
Dumpster Diving - Occurs when thieves find your name, address, phone number, bank account statements, credit card offers or any other clue thieves are able to use to unlock your identity.
Social Networking Abuse - Occurs when the personal information like job, birth date, address, age, favorite things, even pet names can be used to crack your passwords. Also the crook could call you pretending to be from a company or non-profit organization your are familiar with, and try to get your SSI number or other important information.
If you have been a victim of this crime call these credit bureaus to place a credit freeze over the phone:
- Experian - (888)397'3742
- Equifax - (800)685'1111
- TransUnion (800)680'7289
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center - FCRA
Washington, DC 20580
Phone: (877) 382'4357
Federal Reserve System member banks (except national banks, and federal branches/agencies of foreign banks)
Federal Reserve Consumer Help
PO Box 1200
Minneapolis, MN 55480
Phone: (202) 452'3693
National banks, federal branches/agencies of foreign banks (word "National" or initials "N.A." appear in or after bank's name)
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Compliance Management, Mail Stop 6-6
Washington, DC 20219
Phone: (800) 613'6743
Savings associations and federally chartered savings banks (word "Federal" or initials "F.S.B." appear in federal institution's name)
Office of Thrift Supervision
Consumer Complaints
Washington, DC 20552
Phone: (800) 842'6929
State-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Consumer Response Center
2345 Grand Avenue, Suite 100
Kansas City, Missouri 64108-2638
Phone: (877) 275'3342
Federal credit unions (words "Federal Credit Union" appear in institution's name)
National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 519'4600
Activities subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 Department of Agriculture
Office of Deputy Administrator - GIPSA
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: (202) 720'7051
Air, surface, or rail common carriers regulated by former Civil Aeronautics Board or Interstate Commerce Commission
Department of Transportation
Office of Financial Management
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: (202) 366'1306
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