Known Identity Thieves?

Adam posts some interesting hypotheses about how much of identity theft is perpetrated by thieves known to the victims:
Now, if (1) is true, then for all ID theft victims, 40% should know the perpetrator. If (2) is true, then perhaps 11% of ID theft is committed by someone who the victim knows, and 90% of that is detected. Perhaps it’s 90% of ID theft is committed by someone who the victim knows, and that’s only detected 27% of the time.

Identity theft numbers: Javelin vs. FTC, Adam Shostack, 13 Feb 2007

Read his blog for the details. As he says, his hypotheses should be testable. And which (if either) hypothesis is correct should have some bearing on measures that will work to prevent identity theft.

-jsq

One thought on “Known Identity Thieves?”

  1. Cara Fletcher

    It’s true that to make an identity theft you should know the victim personally or stalk her.The fist option is easier and it turns out that many people are deceived this way.

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