Two out of five identity theft victims know source of crime, according to Identity Theft Assistance Center survey…Data on identity theft sources can help protect consumers

 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two out of five identity theft victims surveyed by the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) know how their personal data was stolen, providing valuable insight about how identity theft occurs.

  

"This information is important because the more we know about the sources of identity theft the more successful we all will be in fighting this crime," said ITAC Executive Director Anne Wallace. "These documented cases provide real world perspective on identity theft."

   

ITAC surveyed 275 identity theft victims who used the ITAC's free service over a one-month period. Of the 275 cases, 160 consumers (58%) did not know the source of their identity theft. Another 115 consumers (42%) did know how their information was compromised. The 115 consumers attributed their identity theft to the following sources:

  

 Friends, relatives, in-home employees 26 cases ( 22.61)...Computer hacker/virus/phishing 25 cases (21.74%)

    -- Mail (stolen or fraudulent address change)       24 cases    20.87%

    -- Lost/stolen wallet, checkbook or credit card     15 cases    13.04%

    -- Corrupt business or employee                     12 cases    10.43%

    -- Data breach                                       8 cases     6.96%

    -- House burglarized                                 4 cases     3.48%

    -- Instant credit                                    1 case      0.87%

   

Getting accurate information about the sources of identity theft is difficult because identity theft - the opening of a fraudulent new account or account takeover - is often confused with other types of fraud, like the unauthorized use of a credit card. ITAC is in a unique position to gather data about identity theft because it deals in verified cases of identity

theft.

The companies that belong to ITAC refer customers to ITAC once the

fraud is resolved at the member company. ITAC then helps the customer

identify other fraudulent accounts and assists in restoring their financial

identity.