Blame it on the Media

Oct 1, 2006 12:00 PM

Listen up, mythbusters. Data breaches were responsible for only 6 percent of the reported cases of identity theft over the past year.

Researchers at Javelin Strategy and Research, Pleasanton, Calif., say that increased media attention surrounding notable data security breaches is fueling the misconception that security breaches are the leading cause of ID theft. In a 12-month study, researchers determined that of the 30 percent of consumers whose personal information was compromised by data breaches, less than 1 percent actually fell victim to identity theft. While public notifications of data breaches reached into the tens of millions in 2005, identity theft only increased 4 percent.

James Van Dyke, president of the California firm, suggests the findings prove consumers are not educating themselves about other causes of the crime and are not placing enough importance on prevention. “When you compare public attention that data breaches receive to other causes of ID theft, consumers are being misdirected about how to set overall priorities for guarding against identity theft.”

Visit ftc.gov to get educated.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

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