ID theft study

[Henry Brown <hbrown () knology net>]

ONE has to wonder who paid for this study!

http://www.darkreading.com/security/privacy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222002437

  Consumers Overestimate The Dangers Of Online Identity Theft, Study Says
More than one-third of users think ID theft is most likely to happen 
online, but only 10 percent of the losses happen on the Web, researchers say



Dec 17, 2009 | 10:00 AM
By Tim Wilson
DarkReading

The Grinch didn't work online -- and most identity thieves don't, either.

That's the conclusion of a new study published today by the research 
firm Zogby. The survey results suggest that most consumers overestimate 
the likelihood of being "owned" online, yet underestimate the 
possibility of being ripped off in more traditional methods.

Thirty-four percent of consumers believe ID theft is most likely to 
occur online, yet a recent study by Javelin Research indicates only 10 
percent of such crimes occur over the Web. Most ID theft occurs through 
more traditional, physical thefts, according to the report, which was 
commissioned by identity restoration service EZShield.

"At a time of year when packages are sitting on doorsteps and a mere 
address label or transaction record is enough to enable identity theft, 
consumers need to increase their vigilance and take action to protect 
themselves," says John Herr, CEO of EZShield.

The study found 34 percent of users think ID theft most likely results 
from personal information being stolen from government agencies, medical 
offices, or other businesses. Only 14 percent of respondents believe 
such thefts can come from stolen mail or trash.

Only 6 percent of consumers believe ID theft occurs while shopping at 
brick-and-mortar stores or in restaurants, the study says.

EZShield advises consumers to shred credit cards, get locking mailboxes, 
and refuse to give out Social Security or other personal data when 
dealing with retailers during the shopping season.

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