Identity Theft Statistics - Where Are You Most Vulnerable?

If identity theft statistics tell us anything, it's that the more technology advances, the easier it becomes for identity thieves to wreak havoc. In California, for instance, the hotbed for counterfeiting activity by Asian gangs, available technology gives criminals the power to make an exact replica of your credit card in minutes! Credit card counterfeiting is the No. 1 cause of the spike in identity theft statistics.

Here is the breakdown of the major causes for the rise in identity theft statistics in 2005:

• Credit card fraud = 26% of total identity theft cases in the United States
• Phone/utility = 18%
• Bank = 17%
• Employment = 12%
• Government papers/benefits = 9%
• Loans fraud = 5%

Identity Theft Statistics - Surfer Beware!

The Federal Trade Commission received over 685,000 complaints of identity theft and fraud in 2005. That translated into a whopping $680 million in losses!

Of the total number of complaints, identity theft accounted for 37% and fraud for 63%. But among cases of fraud, criminals used the Internet 46% of the time. In dollars, that translates into $335 million stolen.

In fact, 73% of all complaints involved using the Internet as the first way to touch base with the potential victim. Take a look at the following identity theft statistics to see where you are most vulnerable.

• Auction websites = 12% of all complaints to the FTC
• Offers of foreign money = 8%
• Shop from home or catalog offers = 8%
• Lotteries, sweepstakes, or prizes = 7%
• Computer or Internet service complaints = 5%
• Work from home offers or business opportunities = 2%
• Credit protection or advance fee loan offers = 2%
• Phone Service = 2%

Identity Theft Statistics - What It Can Cost You

The number of victims of identity theft reaches approximately 10 million every year. So each minute, 19 individuals are victimized. Based on identity theft statistics, the cost per person is $500. Multiply that around 50 billion victims around the world and you get a staggering figure.

But the cost to you may not only be money. Americans have spent approximately 300 million hours just to resolve problems related to identity theft. Identity theft statistics estimate that every 30 to 60 hours, a victim has to face a matter concerning this very common problem.

Identity theft statistics show that if you are victimized, you can spend an average of 600 hours and about $800 to clear your name and correct your credit history. And it may take you a year or more to fix the problem.

Although there was a decrease in the number of identity theft incidents, the total dollars involved have increased of the last three years. Figures from 2003 show that the per person average was $5,249. In 2006, the figure jumped to a loss of $6,383 per person.