Identity Thefts Up as Economy Sinks -Go Figure!

Identity theft up as economy sinks
Debate rages on Mass. regs
By Donna Goodison
Monday, March 2, 2009

As the state prepares to implement twice-delayed regulations next year requiring businesses to more aggressively protect consumer data, a new federal report indicates very large upticks in the numbers of Bay Staters filing identity-theft complaints.

Complaints by Massachusetts consumers to the Federal Trade Commission and other reporting agencies climbed 26 percent last year. Of the 5,408 complaints, 26 percent were related to credit card fraud, according to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network report released Thursday.

But those complaints are just the tip of the iceberg. A recent FTC survey found that only an estimated 4 percent of all identity-theft victims file complaints, said John Krebs, the FTC’s program manager for the Consumer Sentinel Network. (Full text at www.bostonherald.com)

To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

Remember, estimates are that every 2-4 seconds an Identity is compromised. Why take chances? Why not protect yourself and your loved ones with the best suite of services provided (including restoration) by the best NYSE company in the field? Educate yourself and visit the shameless plug below or call me at (909) 208-3728!

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Identity Theft #1 Complaint to FTC

According to the FTC report, Identity Theft #1 complaint for nine (9) years in a row!

The Federal Trade Commission today released the list of top consumer complaints received by the agency in 2008. The list, contained in the publication “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book for January-December 2008,” showed that for the ninth year in a row, identity theft was the number one consumer complaint category. Of 1,223,370 complaints received in 2008, 313,982 – or 26 percent – were related to identity theft.

The report breaks out complaint data on a state-by-state basis and also contains data about the 50 metropolitan areas reporting the highest per capita incidence of fraud and other complaints. In addition, the report sets forth the 50 metropolitan areas reporting the highest incidence of identity theft.

The report states that credit card fraud was the most common form of reported identity theft at 20 percent, followed by government documents/benefits fraud at 15 percent, employment fraud at 15 percent, phone or utilities fraud at 13 percent, bank fraud at 11 percent and loan fraud at four percent.

(Full report with top 20 complaints at www.ftc.gov)

Odd thing is that most people will still keep their head in the sand regarding Id Theft. It won't happen to me (blissful ignorance)! Don't be like most people be proactive not reactive and visit my shameless plug below.

To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

Remember, estimates are that every 2-4 seconds an Identity is compromised. Why take chances? Why not protect yourself and your loved ones with the best suite of services provided (including restoration) by the best NYSE company in the field? Educate yourself and visit the shameless plug below or call me at (909) 208-3728!

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