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e-ID theft not so common after all

Did you know that identity theft is “more likely to occur as the result of a lost or stolen wallet or checkbook” than as the result of Internet-related fraud? I sure didn’t. It’s true, though–confirmed by a study conducted by the Council of Better Business Bureaus and Javelin Strategy & Research.

“The study also says that friends, family members, neighbors or in-home employees make up half of all identity thieves.” That’s a fairly disconcerting thought, isn’t it? The people you know and trust are often the ones who betray you…

The top consumer complaints of 2004, according to the FTC, were: identity theft (39%), credit card fraud (28%), phone/utilities fraud (19%), and bank fraud (18%). ID theft has topped the list for five years, and I’m willing to bet it stays on top for the next five (especially considering the growing popularity of on-line banking and business transations).

These enlightening facts were culled from a recent Detroit News article.

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