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Sound Advice: November 12, 2025

How concerned should I be about personal identity theft?

Personal identity theft remains a significant and growing concern in 2025, as the number of incidents continues to climb, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds.  Over 1.1 million cases of identity theft were reported to the FTC in 2024, a number that increased by nearly 10% compared to the previous year, while fraud losses rose to over $12.5 billion.

Why It's a Major Concern

  • Identity theft affects millions annually, with nearly 1 in 5 Americans reporting some form of incident in recent years, and the risk is not diminishing.
  • The most common forms involve fraudulent credit card accounts, synthetic identity fraud (mixing real and fake information), and financial account takeovers.  Thieves often leverage data from breaches, phishing, and misuse of personal facts shared online.
  • New techniques, especially the use of AI for generating deepfake identities or more convincing scams, have made attacks smarter and harder to spot.

Who Is Vulnerable

  • Every age group faces risks, but tactics differ:
    • Gen Z is more vulnerable due to online oversharing and use of unsecured public Wi-Fi.
    • Millennials deal with risks from using personal devices for work and cloud services.
    • Gen X may have less time for vigilant account monitoring.
    • Baby Boomers are targeted for their wealth and greater tendency to trust traditional communication channels.

Practical Protection Steps

  • Regularly review credit reports and financial statements for suspicious activity.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for critical accounts.
  • Shred sensitive documents; do not share personal information unless necessary, especially online or by phone.
  • Beware of phishing emails, fake calls, and online scams—always verify unknown contacts.
  • Use antivirus software, secure Wi-Fi networks, and keep devices updated.

Bottom Line

It is wise to be vigilant and proactive, as identity theft cases are increasing and methods are evolving rapidly.  Although risk cannot be eliminated, taking continuous precautions substantially reduces exposure to costly and stressful consequences.

N. Russell Wayne

Weston, CT  06883

203-895-8877

www.soundasset.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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