Who Wants to Be You? Identity Theft a Common Risk for Consumers

Nine million. That’s how many Americans have their identities stolen each year, estimates the Federal Trade Commission.

From January 2005 until October 2007, a staggering 215 million personal records were breached, reported the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The FTC noted that, in half of the criminal incidents in 2005, thieves obtained goods or services worth $500 or less. In 10 percent of cases, thieves stole at least $6,000.