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Senior Citizens Less Likely Than Others to
Experience Identity Theft
Internet is where most fear personal information will
be stolen
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Americans Are Most Worried About Online Identity Theft
% of Respondents Somewhat or Very Worried Their Financial
Information Will Be Stolen From: |
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Aug. 3, 2005 Identity theft is a major concern
for senior citizens, but according to a new survey they are the least
likely to be hit by this personal catastrophe. A new survey finds 18
percent of all adults have been identity theft victims but only 11
percent of those 65 and older. The most likely victims are under 30 (25
percent). For those between 30 and 65, primarily baby boomers, the
percent of victims is 18.
The poll was released today by Experian(R) and The
Gallup Organization. It is called the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit
Index(SM) and surveys Americans about a wide range of personal credit
matters, including having personal financial information stolen.
"The public's perception about how many consumers
have suffered identity theft appears fairly accurate, according to the
poll, with the median projected percentage at 15 percent -- not very far
off from the 18 percent measured in the poll," said Ed Ojdana, group
president of Experian Interactive. "This makes it all the more
concerning that so few consumers are being proactive in protecting their
information."
The poll also finds some significant regional
differences. Only 12 percent and 15 percent, respectively, of consumers
in the Midwest and South report being victimized, compared with 20
percent and 26 percent, respectively, of consumers in the East and West.
About two-thirds of consumers who have not
experienced identity theft say it is unlikely to happen to them. Only 6
percent have purchased some form of identity theft protection, and just
4 percent have purchased identity theft insurance and checked their
credit report to see if they are victims of identity theft.
Though few consumers have taken preventive action
to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, 62 percent are concerned
that their financial information could be stolen online. More than half
also are concerned that their personal information could be stolen from
the mail (55 percent) or at a retail store (53 percent), while just
under half (47 percent) fear becoming a victim at a restaurant. Smaller
numbers fear identity theft from their garbage (40 percent), their home
(33 percent), or their work or school (25 percent).
The poll also showed a surge in consumer optimism
about personal credit, with the Personal Credit Index jumping from 79
last month to 98 this month. This is the highest score since the launch
of the Personal Credit Index in March, when it was established at a
benchmark score of 100.
"The overall increase is driven primarily by more
positive consumer feelings about being able to make their monthly
payments and maintain a good credit rating -- both now and in the
future," said Dennis Jacobe, chief economist for The Gallup
Organization. "It's encouraging to see this increase in the Personal
Credit Index."
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MSMBC provides helpful information about identity theft - how to
avoid it, what to do when it happens to you, and more -
Click Here
Follow this link to the FTC's site about
Identity Theft -
Click
Here |
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More information about the Experian-Gallup Personal
Credit Index can be found on the official Web site at
www.PersonalCreditIndex.com.
About the Experian-Gallup
Personal Credit Index
The Experian-Gallup Personal Credit
Index is based on a monthly nationwide survey of households and measures
four key areas related to credit: level of debt, monthly payment burden,
credit rating and debt extension capability. The sampling was conducted
July 14-20, 2005, and included 1,014 adults, 18 and over, randomly
selected from across the country. The sampling error is plus or minus
three percentage points.
About The Gallup Organization
The Gallup Organization has studied
human nature and behavior for more than 70 years. Gallup employs many of
the world's leading scientists in management, economics, psychology and
sociology. Gallup performance management systems help organizations
increase customer engagement and maximize employee productivity through
measurement tools, course work and strategic advisory services. Gallup's
2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through
the Web, at Gallup University's campuses and in 40 offices around the
world.
About Experian
Experian is the global leader in
providing value-added information solutions to organizations and
consumers. It has an unrivaled understanding of individuals, markets and
economies around the world. Experian provides information, analytics,
decision-making solutions and processing services. It assists
organizations in understanding their markets and customers and helps
them find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships to make
their businesses more profitable. Experian promotes greater financial
health among consumers by enabling them to understand, manage and
protect their personal information and helping them control financial
aspects of key life events. Experian works with more than 50,000 clients
across diverse industries, including financial services,
telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog,
automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce, property and
government. A subsidiary of GUS plc with headquarters in Nottingham, UK,
and Costa Mesa, Calif., Experian's 12,000 people in 28 countries support
clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.5 billion.
For more information, visit the
company's Web site at www.experian.com.
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