America's Fastest-Growing Crime
In September 2003, the Federal Trade Commission released a survey showing that 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.9 million in the previous year alone. ID theft cost financial institutions, businesses, and consumers nearly $53 billion last year alone, according to the survey. Average loss to businesses was $4,800; the average loss to consumers, $500 -- and untold hours trying to recoup their reputations.
The Three Major Credit Reporting Agencies
Following are the three major U.S. credit-reporting agencies. All sell consumers copies of their personal credit reports. You may be entitled to receive reports at no charge if you've been denied credit, if you suspect fraud, or if you live in states that require the agencies to provide you one free copy annually. All three agencies' Web sites contain extensive information on preventing and responding to personal ID theft.
Gartner Inc. Survey
A July 2003 survey by Gartner Inc., the Stamford, Conn.-based research and consulting firm, found that identity theft rose nearly 80 percent between June 2002 and June 2003.
RESOURCES
Discussion
Join the Fresh Inc. discussion on identity theft.
Information on preventing, detecting, and responding to personal identity theft:
Articles, Publications
"What's Next: They've Got Your Number," column by Robert X. Cringley (Inc., August 2003).
CSO magazine: Executive-level articles, white papers, research summaries, and other information.
Information Security magazine: Articles, buyers' guides, e-mail newsletters.
Agencies
Federal Trade Commission: National Resource for Identity Theft site. Also see the FTC's ID Theft Data Clearinghouse.
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: FBI and White Collar Crime Center's site providing information for spotting scams and filing compliants.
National Infrastructure Protection Center: Computer-related wing of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Department of Justice: Identity Theft and Fraud site: Offers advice on preventing and responding to ID theft.
Organizations
101-identitytheft.com: Resources, advice, and links for more information and assistance.
American Privacy Consultants PrivacyToday.com offers headlines and information.
Computer Security Institute: Conferences, courses, materials, and information on corporate ID theft and other information-security topics.
Electronic Privacy Information Center: News, information, and links on privacy-related issues.
Fightidentitytheft.com: Resources, advice, and links.
Human Firewall Council: Security and ID-management related resources for managers.
Identity Theft Resource Center: Resources, comprehensive information, and links, including advice on recognizing scams.
Identity Theft University-Business Partnership: Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice project to help businesses secure competitive and personal information.
Internet ScamBusters: Tracks and reports on online crime and fraud, include ID-theft schemes.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Vendors of identity access and management solutions include:
ActivCard Corp.
BMC Software Inc.
Courion Corp.
IBM Corp.
Microsoft Corp.
Netegrity Inc.
RSA Security Inc.
SystemTools Software Inc. (Hyena Total System Administration)
Vasco Data Security International Inc.
