Despite growing fears about identity theft and online fraud, these crimes are more frequently committed offline than online, according to a study by the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Strategy & Research.
The 2005 Identity Fraud Survey Report also found that Internet-related fraud problems are actually less severe, less costly and not as widespread as previously thought.
The study, based on 4,000 recent telephone interviews with consumers, also found that:
* The most frequently reported source of information used to commit fraud was a lost or stolen wallet or checkbook.
* Among cases where the perpetrator’s identity is known, half of all identity fraud is committed by a friend, family member, relative, neighbor or in-home employee – someone known by the victim.
* A wide variety of metrics confirm that identity fraud problems are not worsening, with the total number of victims in decline.
* The annual dollar volume of identity fraud is highly similar to 2003 figures (adjusted for inflation) at $52.6 billion.
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