It is important to understand that identity theft is a fast-growing crime. It is also important to know just how your identity can be stolen and how to protect against it. Try to keep as up-to-date as possible in this growing epidemic, and to know who is most likely to be a target.
Statistics for Identity Theft for 2006
Each year, the Federal Trade Commission compiles a list of statistics on identity theft. A breakdown of the most important statistics to know follows:
In 2006, there were at least 246,000 cases of identity theft reported, with credit card fraud reported as the most frequent type of theft at 25% of all cases. Phone/utilities fraud, bank fraud and employment fraud were other categories, each evenly distributed at about 16%.
The statistics of identity theft show that electronic transfer, although increasingly secure, is still the easiest target for identity theft. Napa, California and Madera, California were the two highest-ranked cities in the number of cases of identity theft reported.
Bank account transactions, credit cards and wire transfers are the most frequently abused methods of fund transfer; the identity theft statistics indicate them at 20%, 30% and 23% respectively. Cash advances and money orders are the least used methods of transaction, and therefore the least vulnerable.
Identity theft has a different threat online. Identity thieves will set up fake webpages, disguising them as a legitimate company's webpage. They will use it to gather email addresses of victims. This "phishing" (as it is known) is a fast spreading problem in Internet security. Most bank sites are using what is known as a Sitekey. A Sitekey is a special personalized image that appears for an accountholder who has signed up for online banking. It confirms that the browser is displaying the actual correct website- not a fake one.
The most targeted demographic is consumers between the ages of 40 to 49. According to the Federal Trade Commission's collection of statistics, almost a quarter of all cases fall within this demographic.
Be sure to keep these statistics in mind- if you are in the middle-aged demographic and use the Internet for online banking regularly- you should be cautious because this group has been shown to be the most targeted victims of identity theft. - 15224
Statistics for Identity Theft for 2006
Each year, the Federal Trade Commission compiles a list of statistics on identity theft. A breakdown of the most important statistics to know follows:
In 2006, there were at least 246,000 cases of identity theft reported, with credit card fraud reported as the most frequent type of theft at 25% of all cases. Phone/utilities fraud, bank fraud and employment fraud were other categories, each evenly distributed at about 16%.
The statistics of identity theft show that electronic transfer, although increasingly secure, is still the easiest target for identity theft. Napa, California and Madera, California were the two highest-ranked cities in the number of cases of identity theft reported.
Bank account transactions, credit cards and wire transfers are the most frequently abused methods of fund transfer; the identity theft statistics indicate them at 20%, 30% and 23% respectively. Cash advances and money orders are the least used methods of transaction, and therefore the least vulnerable.
Identity theft has a different threat online. Identity thieves will set up fake webpages, disguising them as a legitimate company's webpage. They will use it to gather email addresses of victims. This "phishing" (as it is known) is a fast spreading problem in Internet security. Most bank sites are using what is known as a Sitekey. A Sitekey is a special personalized image that appears for an accountholder who has signed up for online banking. It confirms that the browser is displaying the actual correct website- not a fake one.
The most targeted demographic is consumers between the ages of 40 to 49. According to the Federal Trade Commission's collection of statistics, almost a quarter of all cases fall within this demographic.
Be sure to keep these statistics in mind- if you are in the middle-aged demographic and use the Internet for online banking regularly- you should be cautious because this group has been shown to be the most targeted victims of identity theft. - 15224
About the Author:
Is your internet security really doing its job? Don't just blindly count on some software package to protect you. Find out what you really need to know to keep yourself safe online at the Security Manor website. Visit http://www.securitymanor.com for more helpful information.
