Identity Theft Statistics

Identity theft statistics are alarming. More and more people are becoming victims every day.

Did you know that...

* 28 million Americans have been victims of this crime in the last 5 years.

* A thief only needs one line of numbers in your checkbook.

* According to CBS News, "Every 79 seconds, someone's identity is stolen".

* Retired General, John M. Shalikashvilli, the former Joint Chiefs of Staff, became a victim after having his Social Security number published in the Congressional Record.

* The direct cost to us, the consumer, is over 5 billion dollars.

* Tiger Woods, Oprah and Robert De Niro have also had this happen, but it can happen to us "regular people", too.

Go to identity theft stories and cases of identity theft to learn some of the many ways you can become a victim of identity theft.

Why These Identity Theft Statistics are Important to Me

I have become educated about this horrible crime due to being raised in a family whose father was in law enforcement and by working in different aspects of law and the security field for many years myself.

I had one uncle who was a detective, one uncle and aunt who worked for the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms); another uncle who worked in the Sheriffs Department and one aunt who worked as a matron in a prison.

Because of educating myself with identity theft knowledge, I was able to stop myself from becoming a victim when someone tried to steal my identity.

A Growing Problem

Identity theft was not a major problem until about 10 years ago. I started seeing more and more of the vicious crime happening.

* I know of numerous people, many personally, that have been victims of identity theft. Their lives became a "living nightmare",...

All because of their lack of knowledge on how to protect themselves from this devastating crime.

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