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FTC Identity Theft: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
By Bill Southgate

For a number of years, identity theft has been rising and, has topped the list of fraud-related crime complaints received by the FTC. FTC identity theft is highest in the case of Internet auctions as far as consumer fraud was concerned and, identity theft rose by seventeen percent between 2003 and 2004, or so it is believed. Of the total crimes reported to the FTC in 2004, FTC identity theft crimes accounted for as much as 39 percent, which was one percent lower than the previous year. The FTC identity theft crimes mostly pertained to credit card fraud and, were followed by phone or utilities fraud, bank fraud as well as employment fraud. In this respect, Internet fraud was the most common form of FTC identity theft, accounting for, it is believed, 53 percent of all fraud complaints and, the value of such fraud amounted to more than US$265 million, in the year 2004.

Credit Card Fraud Is the Most Common Of FTC Identity Theft Complaints

According to FTC identity theft figures, the internet is the most commonly used medium to commit identity theft and, accounted for the greatest number of contact as well as solicitations for personal information. These FTC identity theft statistics have been obtained from complaints that were made to consumer protection agencies as well as law enforcement. Most FTC identity theft cases can be filed at the FTC site and, filing a complaint with the FTC will enable complainants to reach thousands of law enforcement partners who could help restore the good name of the victim.

The FTC identity theft resource center helps consumers by showing them how to minimize the risks involved or helps to recover from an instance of identity theft and, provides excellent guides as well as reports that are available to the public at large, free of cost. It will inform complainants of the need to contact fraud departments in any consumer reporting company and, to place a fraud alert on the complainant's credit report.

The complainant should also close accounts that have been tampered with or opened in a fraudulent manner. One should go at once to the FTC and, file a complaint and take a copy of that complaint to the police and, also file a complaint with the local police station. FTC is there to help with matters relating to identity theft and, will help people in need to fight back against such crimes.

Author Details:
Bill Southgate writes for various websites about various things including identity theft with a great interest in home security

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