"This information is important because the more we know about the sources of identity theft the more successful we all will be in fighting this crime," said ITAC Executive Director Anne Wallace. "These documented cases provide real world perspective on identity theft."
ITAC surveyed 275 identity theft victims who used the ITAC's free service over a one-month period. Of the 275 cases, 160 consumers (58%) did not know the source of their identity theft. Another 115 consumers (42%) did know how their information was compromised. The 115 consumers attributed their identity theft to the following sources:
| Friends, relatives, in-home employees | 26 cases | 22.61% |
| Computer hacker/virus/phishing | 25 cases | 21.74% |
| Mail (stolen or fraudulent address change) | 24 cases | 20.87% |
| Lost/stolen wallet, checkbook or credit card | 15 cases | 13.04% |
| Corrupt business or employee | 12 cases | 10.43% |
| House burglarized | 4 cases | 3.48% |
| Instant credit | 1 case | 0.87% |
Getting accurate information about the sources of identity theft is difficult because identity theft - the opening of a fraudulent new account or account takeover - is often confused with other types of fraud, like the unauthorized use of a credit card. ITAC is in a unique position to gather data about identity theft because it deals in verified cases of identity theft. The companies that belong to ITAC refer customers to ITAC once the fraud is resolved at the member company. ITAC then helps the customer identify other fraudulent accounts and assists in restoring their financial identity.
