About four (4) in ten (10) consumers say their personal information has been stolen, compromised or misused in the past year
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, has published research that shows nearly 40 percent of ITRC victims say their personal information was stolen, compromised or misused in the past year. The 2022 Consumer Impact Report, released today, goes beyond the known financial implications of identity crimes and explores the lost opportunities as well as the emotional, physical and psychological impacts experienced by victims resulting from the crimes.
For the report, the ITRC surveyed victims who contacted the ITRC and victims who did not. According to the responses, the number of repeat identity crime victims dropped year-over-year among ITRC victims. However, half of the general victims surveyed claim to have been victimized more than once. Also, ITRC victims experienced more complex attacks that require longer to resolve. The percentage of "unresolved cases from the previous year" has grown from 37 percent to 55 percent since 2020. Some other key takeaways from the 2022 Consumer Impact Report include:
- Overall, identity crime victims are losing less money. Most ITRC victims and general victims report losing less than $500. However, one group of ITRC victims grew from nine (9) percent in 2020 to 30 percent in 2021 – those victims who lost $10,000 or more.
- The number of ITRC victims who reported experiencing negative emotions increased in 2021 to 87 percent from 79 percent in the previous year, while the number of ITRC victims who reported physical impacts jumped from 44 percent to 68 percent in one year. Two-thirds of general victims reported emotional and physical effects of being an identity crime victim.
- The number of ITRC victims who have changed their behaviors due to an identity crime dropped slightly overall and in five of seven possible actions. More victims reported freezing their credit and using an Identity Protection PIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) when filing taxes.
Download the ITRC's 2022 Consumer Impact Report
"Some of the comments in the report are heartbreaking," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "One victim told us their life was ruined after discovering that someone stole more than $200,000 in their name. Another victim expressed their frustration that no one appeared to care. However, at the ITRC, we do care. This report further energizes us to spearhead our mission of supporting consumers through what may be one of the most difficult experiences of their life."
The ITRC has seen one type of attack grow by over 1,000 percent in the last 12 months – social media account takeover. The 2022 Consumer Impact Report includes the results of a snap survey of victims who reported a social media account takeover. According to the victims who responded to the micro-survey:
- Eighty-five (85) percent had their Instagram accounts compromised; 25 percent had their Facebook account compromised.
- Forty-eight (48) percent clicked on a link they believed was from a friend; 22 percent responded to a cryptocurrency scam.
- Fifty-one (51) percent of victims lost personal funds or sales revenue when their account was compromised.
- Seventy (70) percent have been permanently locked out of their social media account; 71 percent contacted friends listed in the social media account; 67 percent report the criminal continued to post as the account owner after the lockout.
- Sixty-six (66) percent of victims report having a strong emotional reaction to losing control of their social media account, including feeling violated (92 percent), feeling worried or anxious (83 percent), angry (78 percent), vulnerable (77 percent) and suicidal (7 percent).
Consumers and victims of identity crimes and compromises can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting idtheftcenter.org to live-chat.
About the ITRC Consumer Impact Report
Since 2003, the ITRC has surveyed the identity crime victims who have contacted the Center to gauge the impact of identity compromises on individuals. Numerous studies by government agencies and private organizations focus on the financial impacts of identity-related crimes. However, the primary purpose of the ITRC Consumer Impact Report is to gauge the emotional, physical and practical effects on the day-to-day lives of victims, including lost opportunities.
This year's report reflects the responses of 120 victims who contacted the ITRC between April 2021 and March 2022. In the time period covered by this report, new forms of identity attacks emerged. Social media account takeover grew by more than 1,000 percent in just one year. We sought additional input, specifically from victims whose social media accounts were compromised. This survey includes the responses of 97 victims who contacted the ITRC and shows the impacts of the loss of access to a social media account are more significant than first believed.
Previous Consumer Impact Reports dating back to 2003 only reflected the experience of victims who contacted the ITRC. To get a broader view of the trends and impacts affecting consumers in general, this year, the ITRC asked 1,371 consumers in an online survey if they had been the victim of an identity crime and, if so, how it impacted them. Responses from this broader set of self-identified victims using similar questions asked of victims who contacted the ITRC show both significant differences and common experiences.
About the Identity Theft Resource Center
Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.
Media Contact
Identity Theft Resource Center
Alex Achten
Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations
888.400.5530 Ext. 3611
[email protected]
Media Contact
Alex Achten, Identity Theft Resource Center, 888-400-5530 x 3611, [email protected]
SOURCE Identity Theft Resource Center
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