«Breaking News» Getting your life hacked: 10% Americans are victims identity theft totaling $17.5 billion in losses

An estimated 26 million Americans were victims of identity theft or fraud – costing its victims $17.5 billion in 2016, the most recent year for which government data was available.

That amounts to 10 percent of all U.S. residents age 16 or older – an increase from the 7 percent who experienced identity theft or fraud in 2014, according to a new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Among identity-theft and fraud victims, 12 percent had losses of $1 or more, while 88 percent had no or minimal losses – and 55 percent said they were able to resolve the problem in one day or less.

This chart illustrates how many people experienced different types of identity theft and fraud in 2016. Note: some people were victims of more than one type of crime

White people were most likely to be victims (12 percent), compared to 7 percent of African Americans, 6 percent of Hispanics and 8 percent of other races.

High earners were also most likely to be victims, with 35 percent of victims making $75,000 or more per year.

A majority (85 percent) of identity-theft and fraud victims said the most recent crime against them involved the misuse (or attempted misuse) of just one type of existing account, typically a credit card or bank account.

About 10 percent of victims said they experienced severe emotional distress as a result of the crimes – particularly those who had to spend weeks or months resolving the theft of their identity.

Online security analyst Robert Siciliano told DailyMail.com that the distinction between credit card fraud and identity theft is critical when looking at the national numbers.

In the first half of 2018, 945 data breaches led to 4.5 billion data records being compromised worldwide, according to an October 2018 report by digital security firm Gemalto. (file photo)

Identity theft is when someone accesses your social security number to open new accounts in your name, while credit or debit card fraud is when someone tries to make purchases using your account data.

How to prevent identity theft

Online Security Analyst Robert Siciliano shares six tips for avoiding identity theft and fraud.  

-Credit Freeze: While it's usually a step taken after theft has occurred, Siciliano says, 'A credit freeze is that proactive tool that prevents the bad guy from breaking into your identity.'

-Digital Security: Make sure all electronic devices have a full suite of digital security, including antivirus, anti-phishing, antispyware software and a firewall.

-VPN: A Virtual Private Network is software that encrypts your connection and allows you to safely use open and public wifi networks.

-Tech Updates: When your mobile phone or computer urges you to update your software – do it, Siciliano says, adding, 'When you update operating systems that's because there are vulnerabilities and they can be exploited if you don't' update your software.'

-Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, set up your accounts to require two sign-ins. Typically, this means in addition to entering a password, you can't access the account without first entering a code you receive by text message or email. 'That way if someone does get your password they can't access your account because they don't have your mobile phone,' Siciliano said.

-Password Security: Do not use the same password for multiple accounts – this is one of the most common risky activities that people engage in online, Siciliano said. Instead of memorizing dozens of random combinations of letters and numbers, he suggests using a password manager – software that tracks and protects your passwords for every account you use. 

Siciliano said the former is the real problem – and for many Americans it's just a matter of time until they experience it as a result of the billions of individuals who've been affected by major companies' data breaches in the past three years.

That includes the 143 million people affected by the 2017 Equifax data breach and the 500 million people affected by the 2018 Marriott breach. In the first half of 2018, 945 data breaches led to 4.5 billion data records being compromised worldwide, according to an October 2018 report by digital security firm Gemalto. 

'Our data is currently in the hands of identity thieves, it's out there being brokered on the market,' he said. 'It's only a matter of time. Don't wait for something bad to happen to do something about it.' 

He said there are a number of basic steps that anyone can take to make themselves dramatically safer from identity thieves.

Siciliano suggests freezing your credit report to prevent anyone else from opening up new accounts in your name.

While it's usually a step taken after theft has occurred, Siciliano says, 'A credit freeze is that proactive tool that prevents the bad guy from breaking into your identity.'

Another step is to make sure all electronic devices have a full suite of digital security, including antivirus, anti-phishing, antispyware software and a firewall.

Even with those measures in place, Siciliano urges people to use VPN (virtual private network) software to connect to the internet whenever using an open or public wifi network.

'A VPN basically encrypts your data,' he said.

Ultimately, anyone can become a victim – and with the prevalence of data breaches it is incumbent on everyone to take some basic steps to protect themselves in the modern world, Siciliano said.

'Digital literacy is not part of our experience in this culture,' he said. 'We just don't want to think about it. 

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https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/10/getting-your-life-hacked-10-americans-are-victims-identity-theft-totaling-17-5-billion-in-losses/
Main photo article An estimated 26 million Americans were victims of identity theft or fraud – costing its victims $17.5 billion in 2016, the most recent year for which government data was available.
That amounts to 10 percent of all U.S. residents age 16 or older – an increase from the 7 percent who experienced id...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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