ID Theft Victims Often Know Their Thief

It's one of those lessons in life we all learn at some point. You can't trust everyone. When and how you learn it isn't necessarily the issue as long as you learn it. Many are reminded of this when a trusted friend or relative steals their identities, and according to a recent survey by the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC). According to this survey, 42% of participants knew the source of the crime, and out of those, the largest percentage, 22.61% are victimized by someone they know.

Being victimized by friends or relatives is tough, especially since they are usually the people you wouldn't expect to do such a thing. Like other forms of identity theft, you may never be completely immune, but there are precautions you can take to avoid make yourself less vulnerable. For instance, it's good to keep the data in your home safe so as not to tempt a friend or relative who may be in desperate need of some cash. Bills and credit card statements should not be left out for all to see, and personal financial records and documents should be filed away in a locked box or safe. Do not lend a check book or credit card to a friend or relative no matter how much you care for them or trust them.

Identity theft is hard to deal with as it is, but even harder if you know the thief. Make the theft a little harder by keeping important information out of the reach of wandering eyes.