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Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information (name, SSN or credit card number) without permission to commit fraud or other crimes. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year, thus making it a top consumer complaint.¹ Identity theft can take many forms and breaches of secure information occur in nearly every sector of business as well as the education, healthcare, banking and government sectors. Children are even at risk of identity theft.

To help bring identity theft protection education to consumers, the National Foundation of Credit Counseling introduced National Protect Your Identity Week and this year it is from October 16 - 22, 2011. There are numerous techniques that thieves use when committing identity theft, so consumers should learn to protect themselves. Throughout this week, we'll post educational articles on identity theft here, check back for tips on how to better understand identity theft and how to reduce the risk of it occurring: 

• Identify Identity Theft Threats 
• Reduce The Risk Of Identity Theft
• Prevent Identity Theft
• Detecting & Recovering From Identity Theft

Identity Theft Stats²

• 8.1 million people were victims to identity theft in 2010
• During 2010, the FTC received more than 250,000 complaints about identity theft, two-thirds of all complaints received being the largest consumer complaint. 
• Overall losses from identity theft fraud were over $37 billion in 2010. 
• Identity theft committed by someone known to the victim increased 7% in 2010 with consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 being the most likely to be victims. 
• The FTC estimates that a family member or relative committed one out of every 11 cases of identity theft, 9% of all cases.

You may also be interested in:

• Yikes! ID Thieves Now Target Children
• Online Mistakes To Avoid
• Get Smart About Smartphone Security
• Credit & Debit Card Fraud Protection
• Email Protection Tips
• Prevent Identity Theft

¹ FTC.gov
² ProtectYourIDNow.org