One in five hit by identity theft
/v3-uk/news/1960619/one-hit-identity-theft
04 Aug 2005, Robert Jaques , V3
Almost 20 per cent of US consumers admit to falling victim to identity theft, and younger adults are at greatest risk, according to the latest Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index published today.
Twenty-five per cent of consumers across America under the age of 30 admitted to having their financial information stolen, compared with about 18 per cent in the middle-aged group and just 11 per cent among consumers 65 and older, the study found.
"The public's perception about how many consumers have suffered identity theft appears fairly accurate, according to the poll, with the median projected percentage at 15 per cent, not very far off from the 18 per cent measured in the poll," said Ed Ojdana, group president at Experian Interactive.
"This makes it all the more concerning that so few consumers are being proactive in protecting their information."
About two-thirds of consumers who have not experienced identity theft consider that it is unlikely to happen to them.
Only six per cent have purchased some form of identity theft protection, and just four per cent have purchased identity theft insurance and checked their credit report to see whether they have been victims of identity theft.
Although few consumers have taken preventive action to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, 62 per cent said they were concerned that their financial information could be stolen online.
More than half are also concerned that their personal information could be stolen from the post (55 per cent) or at a shop (53 per cent), while 47 per cent fear becoming a victim at a restaurant.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
That's scary!
What if it happened to you? Would you even know where to start?
It's no secret that Identity Theft is a major problem in America.
I suggest everyone take some sort of security precaution, but when shopping around what good is credit monitoring going to do for you if once you know your a victim, you have to do all the work to clear your name.
Posted by John, 04 Aug 2005
ID Repair Available
Repairing the mess if I am a victim of ID theft is a huge concern to me.
That's why I have a plan that monitors, notifies AND provides full id restoration when I become a victim.
The restoration is handled by an international risk consulting firm which uses licensed investigators.
It even offers the option of legal help to deal with lawsuits, collections, and even arrests that are caused by ID theft.
Posted by Walter Sorg, 04 Aug 2005
You can protect yourself.
You're exactly right John. There is a company called Pre-Paid Legal Services that does provide a service called Identity Theft Shield that not only monitors your credit and other information 24 hours a day but they also do full identity restoration by a licensed investigator from the number one risk management company in the world.
Posted by Rob Acevedo, 04 Aug 2005
Get the help
Kroll has a really great monitring service that I use.
I subscribed to it and it gives me alerts when any inquiries or changes are made to my information. Also, they do the restoration for you if you become a victim. They are real pros.
Posted by Les Fiatte, 05 Aug 2005
The Bottom Line!
The bottom line is that without getting a layer of protection on your computer, protection for your family (ID Theft Restoration) a paper shredder, and a disclosure law at the state and federal level, everyone will end up paying the cost of Id Theft
Posted by Marcus, 05 Aug 2005