Publications: Fast Facts
- Victims who discovered identity theft in the early stages-within the first month-spent fewer than 10 hours resolving the related problems. (Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission statistics, 2004.)
- Only one in 10 victims report they were aware that their personal information had been taken before discovering they were victims of identity theft. (Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission statistics, 2004.)
- One in six identity theft victims has had their identity used by criminals when arrested and charged with a crime. (Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission statistics, 2004.)
- Most victims do not learn about the theft of their identity until months after it has occurred.
- Victims of identity theft have reported that clearing their names and reclaiming their identities can take an average of 44 months according to the United States Postal Inspection Service.
- According to the ID Theft Resource Center, identity theft victims average 300 hours of activity in attempts to clear their names.