Privacy concerns such as identity theft are often cited as a barrier to more widespread use of e-commerce via the Internet and mobile devices. Klurfeld said consumers are increasingly turning to the Web for information on protecting themselves. The FTC's identity theft Web site received more than 139,000 hits during the first half of 2000, with thousands of visitors using a secure complaint form to file charges. Police Share Information Klurfeld added that a growing online database being shared with law enforcement officials around the U.S. will become an increasingly important tool in combating theft of personal information. The FTC recently began giving police departments direct online access to the data collected.
Plans also call for the information to be shared with banks and credit card companies in the future.
Using information collected in California, the FTC has begun to analyze the specific fallout from identity theft, Klurfeld said. About half of all identity complaints involve stolen credit card numbers or accounts opened without a person's knowledge. Nearly 30 percent of victims reported that a telephone or Internet account was opened in their name, and another 25 percent reported bank or loan fraud. More than half of all victims knew the person accused of stealing their identity. Still, the FTC said that consumers stand to lose much more in the form of lost work days and legal fees spent straightening out the problems caused by identity theft.