If you search the Internet using this phrase, "computer identity theft statistics," I believe you'll be greatly surprised, and even a degree of fear. The reason; identity theft is hailed as the fastest growing crime in America. Caused by government banks along with some corporate industry which have lost important customer personal data -- account information and credit card numbers. Recently a laptop computer was stolen from the Veterans Administration, holding 26.5 million names along with personal private information records -- this has become an almost daily news story. Even today, the VA has now offered these people "free credit monitoring for a year." But, will this really help?

So, as one can see from researching computer identity theft statistics, identity theft is no small, unimportant crime that impacts everyday people. It has been said there are about 13 cases of identity theft occurring every minute of the day, and this equates to around seven million-plus people affected each year. Some people are claiming that the figure could reach around ten million. It has also been said that the average person will experience identity theft around seven times, in some form or another, during his/her life time.

Seemingly, the biggest problem is to get people to take identity theft seriously. It seems that, we as a people are in a mode of just going about our own business and being somewhat apathetic about events taking place. We pay more attention to the price of gas, along with our social life, than what is taking place around us, especially when it comes to identity theft. I must admit, I too at first, had not taken the subject of identity theft very serious, but fortunately for me, something happened that caused me to change my interest, and to learned the truth about this scourge.

There is an article in the June 2006 issue of "Reader's Digest" that says this: "When it comes to high-tech fraud, one of the most common scams is 'phishing.' The bad guys who do this send out bogus e-mails in hopes of scaring, enticing or just tricking the nave into giving up personal information at fake websites that resemble those of legitimate financial institutions and other commercial outfits." Then it goes on to say in another section: "Another ripe target for identity thieves' use is: the wireless networks that more and more computer users are setting up at home." The article has much more to say on the subject of identity theft. I highly recommend you obtain a copy and read it.

The next question we must face is, do we continue to ignore the computer identity theft statistics, and go about our daily business, or do we search for ways to prevent identity theft, that is, if one can be found? Or do we obtain identity theft insurance, and just hope for the best? But, then we need to face another question, will insurance alone provide us with the needed protection? The answer has to be, no! Of course, one could always go hire an attorney at around $200-$400 per hour, that is, if one has that kind of money to spend. If insurance cannot protect us, and we can not afford a high priced attorney, then is there any real identity theft protection available, one that the average person can afford? And the answer for this question is yes there is!