When doing my research, I came across Identity Theft Misconceptions that I felt would benefit to this Tabblo as well.

Misperception #1: "Consumers are helpless to protect themselves"

In 63% of fraud cases, the point of compromise was either theft by close associates of the consumer (friends, family, neighbors, etc.), lost or stolen wallets, cards and checkbooks, breached home computers or stolen mail or trash.

Consumers detect almost half (47%) of identity fraud cases. Self-detection is faster (averages 67 days vs. 101 days), results in smaller average fraud amounts ($4,431 vs. $8,466) and smaller consumer costs ($347 vs. $538).

A key way to detect fraudulent accounts is through credit monitoring / reports. Eleven percent of fraud cases were caught via this means.

Misperception #2: "Consumers bear the brunt of the financial losses from identity fraud"

Average out-of-pocket cost for identity fraud victims is $422 (7% of the average fraud amount of $6,383) down from $675 last year and $555 in 2003.

Misperception #3: "Internet use increases the risks of identity fraud"

Data compromise through the Internet is statistically unchanged from last year (11% to 9% today).

Internet use can lead to lower damages from identity fraud. Electronic account monitoring is the fastest way to detect fraud and leads to lower losses - (22 days and $3,806).

Misperception #4: " Seniors are most frequent targets of fraud operators"

Generation X (ages 25-34) has the highest rate of identity fraud at 5.4 percent. The average fraud amount for this demographic is $6,270 as compared to the average fraud amount for the 65+ segment which is $2,665.