Identity theft statistics

Thanks to alert reader Jasmine Henriques for sending us this informative graphic about identity theft, which reflects data about whom it befalls, how much it costs, and how it is most frequently carried out, among other things.

Comments

[Richard Alderman]

I am not sure this data refers to true "identity theft," as opposed to credit card and debt card fraud. Identity theft involves stealing a person's personal information and living as that person at a different address, using that person's credit worthiness to establishing credit in that person's name. Skimming and stealing credit card numbers is not identity theft. I believe true "identity theft" is on the wane, primarily because it takes a long time to accomplish, and other forms of theft, such as credit card fraud and skimming are much easier and quicker.