New Research Shows Identity Theft Tops Consumer Concerns About Crime

Identity theft remains a top concern for consumers although they are not taking immediate steps to prevent it, according to new data released by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC).  According to an NCPC survey conducted by Harris Interactive, identity theft and credit card fraud top the list of crimes about which adult Americans are extremely concerned. 

This finding further supports the latest information from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data report in which identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints for the seventh year in a row.  Yet, despite growing consumer apprehension, only 12 percent of respondents felt they knew a great deal about preventing identity theft versus 38 percent who reported knowing a little about preventing the crime.

The new NCPC data also show identity theft is a concern across all income levels and regions of the country.  Ninety-three percent of Americans believe that identity theft is a major or moderate crime problem today.  Other major statistics include:

• Sixty-six percent of women are more likely to be concerned about identity theft compared with 47 percent of men.
• Identity theft is of greater concern to adults with older children at home (45 percent) versus those with younger children at home (27 percent).
• Eighty percent of those who feel vulnerable being on the Internet were more likely to say identity theft is a major problem.
• Nearly 24 percent of adults said they knew someone close to them who has been a victim of identity theft.
• Fourteen percent reported being a victim of identity theft.
• Those Americans with higher incomes and education levels considered themselves more knowledgeable about how to prevent identity theft.

Consumers listed the following top ways they could protect themselves from identity theft:

• Shredding or destroying personal or sensitive documents
• Not giving out their Social Security number except when necessary
• Not sharing personal information
• Not giving out personal/confidential information on the phone