10 Million Victims a Year -- Don't be One of Them!
Don't let this be you!
It may be hard to believe, but it's all too tragically true. According to statistics compiled by Javelin Strategy and Research, 2009 will be the biggest year yet for identity thieves. Financial losses will total $46 billion.
The good news is that, thanks to new laws, victims are paying less out-of-pocket, with a mean cost of around $500. But statistics don't tell the whole story: having someone steal your identity incurs more than financial costs. The average identity theft victim spends over 70 frustrating hours trying to sort things out. The psychological harm can't be measured. It is no fun to know that someone is out there pretending to be you.
A typical identity theft victim goes through pure hell, especially if they don't catch the fraud until it is well advanced. Many people will not find out that they have been violated until they start getting calls from collection agencies for unpaid bills at addresses far away. Unwinding this mess with credit agencies takes many hours. Creditors are sympathetic to victims, but they don't know that you are victim. To them, you look like a deadbeat, and you are guilty until proven innocent. It's unfortunate but true.
It has been said before, but it needs to be said again: Protect yourself!