According to a recent Travelers article, thieves prefer low-technology old-fashioned theft.
What does that mean for you? If you, like most people, previously thought that a computer was to blame for identity theft...you were wrong.
According to the date compiled by Travelers' research, the following are the top known causes of identity theft:
- 78% - burglary and theft of wallet/purse/personal identification/computer
- 14% - online or data breach
- 5% - change of address/postal fraud
- 3% - lost credit card and other miscellaneous causes
In addition, over 75 percent of these cases involve criminals using the information to open new credit card accounts or use the existing credit cards to make charges. Twenty percent will withdraw money from an existing checking, savings and online account, while another 16 percent open utility accounts in the victim's name.
This means that our TRASH and MAILBOXES are prime targets for identity theft! Think about it...how much information is contained in a mailed bank or credit card statement? How about a notice from the MVA that includes your driver's license number? Restoring a stolen identity is time consuming, costly and requires expertise. Most of us do not have this expertise.
Most insurance companies will make sure all the required phone calls are made, all the letters written in order to get your identity back for a nominal fee. The Identity Fraud Expense Coverage is available as an endorsement on a most homeowners, condo and renters policies for as little as $25 annually and offers protection up to $25,000 with no deductible.
Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar job in a America, and you may not be aware that your identity has been stolen until a merchant or collection agency contacts you, seeking payment for a bill you know nothing about. Or, you may be declined for a loan or employment because your credit records show defaults on loans unknown to you.
Contact us today if you are unsure if you and your family are currently protected from this financially devastating scenario.