Identity Theft Becomes Increasingly Widespread

   

Posted: Jun 29, 2009

A Missouri woman recently found out just how widespread identity theft has become during the current recession.

A report on KRCG-TV in Missouri features April Miller, a 28-year-old Jefferson City resident who's had her personal financial data stolen twice in seven months. Miller told the television station that the data thefts occurred even though she never shops online or falls prey to phishing emails.

However, one detail from her story is something that all consumers should consider as they try to safeguard against identity theft. Before the thieves tried to steal money from Miller, they made a $1 donation to a charity — just to make sure her account was actually valid.

Any consumer who ends up with a similarly-sized mysterious charge on their monthly statement could be at equal risk for identity theft.

In another sign of how bold identity thieves have become, Cornell University's Daily Sun newspaper is reporting that a data breach on campus has exposed 45,000 current and former students and employees to the risk of identity theft.