Most Victims Are Unaware Of Online Identity Theft

November 30, 2007 6:50 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A new survey by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that of the estimated 8.3 million Americans who were victims of identity theft, few identified computer-related crime as the culprit. The FTC found that 56 percent of victims didn't know how their personal information was stolen. Only 1 percent of victims identified computer hacking as the cause of the ID theft, according to the 2005 survey.

"No one is immune to identity theft," said Lydia Parnes, director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "The important thing is that people learn how to deter identity thieves and detect suspicious activity."

Another survey made by market research firm Synovate shows that more than six out of 10 Americans find out on their own that they were victims of on-line identity theft.

Among 5,000 adults surveyed, 3.7 percent said their identities had been stolen and among them, 66 percent found out by taking matters into their own hands. For instance, 26 percent found out by monitoring their own accounts, Synovate said.

Another 18 percent said they learned when they received a bill, according to the survey made last year and released this week, PC World reported.