How Common is ID Theft?
You might be sitting there and wondering to yourself just how common identity theft really is today. This is a very good question to ask, and something that most people really want to know. Determining just how common it is might actually help you act more quickly in preventing identity theft. Use the following information to help yourself along in this process. You need to get all the ammo possible in your quest to fight off identity theft, and knowing just how common it is can be extremely important. Identity theft can strike when you least expect it.
The Raw Numbers
A survey conducted by Privacy and American Business says that more than 20% of people have identified themselves as victims of identity theft. Identity theft crime has actually affected over 45 million people, which is a very large number, but it still is not quite as low as some people would like it to be. When looking at the number directly it means that someone in your family could become a victim of this crime. Some people are worried to report this because they do not want the numbers to be misleading. Others think that the information needs to be reported in order to make people aware of this trouble.
Identity Theft vs. Credit Card Fraud
Some people say that numbers are misleading because identity theft and credit card fraud are two separate things. Just because someone has your credit card number does not mean that they have your identity. Some people just jump to the conclusion that their ID is stolen because their credit card number went rogue. If you are really a victim of identity theft then you will have accounts taken out in your name and big purchase will be made on your dime. If someone just has your credit card number then it is not good but the worst thing they can do is try to make a purchase on your credit card. The ramifications are not as big.
Harder to Spot ID Theft
One thing that people also find more common in identity theft is that it is harder to spot. With credit card fraud you will feel the impact immediately because you will see that your money has gone missing. With identity theft you might not even catch it for a few months or even a year or two. By then the trouble could really be big. Neither situation is very good and you want to avoid them at all times. Identity theft could just become a bigger issue then you want. Yes, the numbers might be skewed, and not as many people may be identity theft sufferers. However, no matter the situation you need to be prepared and fight.
