July 08, 2011 10:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Bank Loans/Credit Cards Account for Just 20% of Identity Theft
While most consumers concentrate on protecting credit cards and banking from identity theft, they are missing 80% of possible risk
NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to IdentityHawkSM data, 17% of consumers have personally been victims of identity theft, and 28% of households have at least one victim of identity theft. Analysis shows that the percent of identity theft from credit accounts was just 20% of total identity theft. The other 80% was comprised of the following:
- 15% Trading SSN (Social Security number), CCN (credit card numbers) and other personal data (usernames & passwords) (doesn't that make it 35%?)
- 16% Bank account debit
- 10% False address
- 10% Government documents & benefits fraud
- 8% Electronic funds transfer
- 8% Wireless accounts
- 6% Utility account fraud
- 4% Telephone accounts
- 3% Evading the law
IdentityHawk, is a leading identity protection service that aggressively zeroes in on potential threats to help consumers safeguard their identity.
According to Jeff Paradise, executive director of IdentityHawk, “Eighty percent of all losses related to identity theft happen outside the credit system -- and the earliest detection that an identity might be compromised occur with a breach like a false address. Consumers need a means of preventing identity fraud which is both comprehensive and vigilant that finds inconsistencies in identity information early, so members are notified to take action before identity fraud occurs.”
About IdentityHawk
IdentityHawk is a leading identity protection service that aggressively zeroes in on potential threats to help consumers safeguard their identity. Members are warned of potential identity risks so they can take steps to stop fraud before it starts. IdentityHawk is a product of FYI Direct, Inc., a leader in direct-to-consumer credit and identity protection services. For more information, go to www.identityhawk.com.
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More from IdentityHawk:
Identity theft can take many forms and devastate your life in a variety of ways. For a clear understanding of how identity theft is committed and how pervasive the threat is, take a comprehensive look at the following articles.
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Can a credit freeze actually put the illegal efforts of identity thieves on ice? Get informed.
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A stray laptop left behind at a bar could put the personal data of untold thousands at risk. Learn about the risks of data breaches and the potential for identity theft.
The Most Common Types of Identity Theft
Knowing the most common types of identity theft is the best defense against becoming a victim.
