Identity theft is one of those hassles we’d all rather avoid. When it happens, it can add up to a big waste of time and money as you work to recover. Unfortunately, the chance of becoming a victim of identity theft is higher than you might think.

Notable identity theft stats*

  • There are more than 12 million victims of ID theft in the U.S. each year[1]
  • 7.5% of all U.S. households have experienced some form of theft or fraud[1]
  • Most common types of theft:[1]
    • Misuse of an existing credit card – 64.1%
    • Misuse of an existing bank account – 35%
    • Misuse of personal information – 14.2%
  • 4 out of 5 victims of identity theft don’t know how their information was obtained[2]
  • Half of ID theft crimes go unnoticed for at least a month[2]
  • While half of id theft issues are resolved in a single day, one in four victims spends more than a month resolving their issues[2]
  • Although the average financial loss for each incident of identity theft is $5,130, half of victims suffer out-of-pocket losses of $100 or less[1]

Florida Military ID Theft Prevention Guide

From threats online to those that target your mailbox or trash at home, there’s no limit to the ways thieves try to obtain your information. However, there are specific actions you can take to protect your identity and personal data. We explain how to establish a solid identity theft prevention strategy so you can minimize your threat level. While there’s no foolproof way to avoid theft in all situations, we help you avoid actions that increase your risk. We also direct you to other helpful ID theft resources for Florida Military Service Members and Veterans.

Learn how to minimize your risk for ID theft »

How to Recover from Identity Theft

Sometimes even with the best preventative efforts, identity theft can happen. This guide explains the exact steps you need to take to recover quickly from ID theft. From basic card misuse to a full-scale compromise of your personal information, this is what you need to do. Learn how to address the theft that’s already occurred, while ensuring you take steps to secure your identity moving forward.

Create an action plan to recover from identity theft »

*Sources:
[1] http://www.statisticbrain.com/identity-theft-fraud-statistics/
[2] http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/vit12.pdf