You Should Be Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft

REALTORS® are constantly on the move. Your career means more financial transactions and travels than an average person, and you’re also more digitally oriented. That may mean you’re at a higher risk for identity theft.

The 2013 Identity Fraud Report released in February 2013 by Javelin Strategy & Research reports that in 2012 identity fraud incidents increased by more than one million victims and thieves stole more than $21 billion, the highest amount since 2009. The study found 12.6 million victims of identity fraud in the United States in the past year, which equates to 1 victim every 3 seconds. ¹

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Identity theft is not just a financial crime. This crime varies widely, and can include financial identity theft (checking and/or credit card fraud), criminal identity theft, governmental identity theft, home equity loan fraud, and medical identity theft. ²

The risk of identity theft is fairly low, but the pain if you fall victim is quite high, so it is prudent to think of identity theft and fraud as an illness that you do not want to contract. Early detection is good, but prevention is key.

As part of the Colorado REALTOR® Health and Wellness Discount Benefit Program, protect yourself and your family with Lifelock ID Theft Protection Monitoring. Click Here to learn more.