Identity Theft Statistics

The Internet has made identity theft one of the fastest growing criminal activities in the world. With a computer, Internet connection and a bit of knowledge, a thief can gain access to your most personal information. In many cases, preventative measures can be taken to ensure that your identity remains safe and is never stolen. The most important thing you can arm yourself with is knowledge. With this in mind, here are some identity theft statistics that may shock you and some preventative tips that will empower you.

1. Approximately 10 million people are affected by or become victims of identity theft every year. This number is continually on the rise as more and more criminals realize that identity theft is one of the most lucrative criminal endeavors available.

2. The number one consumer complaint over the last five years, according to the Better Business Bureau, is identity theft.

3. The average cost, per person, of dealing with identity theft is roughly $16,000.

4. In most cases, victims of identity theft only realize that their identities have been stolen when they try to apply for a line of credit or a loan.

5. The most common form of identity theft is the opening of and maxing out of new credit cards under the name of the victim.

6. Identity thieves rarely use existing credit cards to run up debt. Thieves generally are only interested in opening up new lines of credit under the victim’s name.

Safeguarding important information such as your Social Security card, PINs and usernames and passwords is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft. Another important thing to remember is that you should never carry this type of information in your purse or wallet. If you work with documents that contain account numbers or your Social Security number, you should consider investing in a crosscut shredder. This handy tool will allow you to effectively shred documents with private information on them to such an extent that the documents can never be pieced together.

Use these identity theft statistics and preventative techniques to your advantage and you’ll stand a much better chance of never becoming a victim.