How much does it cost to have your identity stolen?

Identity theft victimizes 17 million people every year in the U.S.

And with more financial transactions moving online, thieves have more opportunities to steal our identities. In 2017, hackers stole 158 million Social Security numbers, 8 times more than in 2016. During that same period, more than 14 million credit card numbers were exposed, up 88% from the previous year.

A common misconception is that identity thieves only target high-income people. However, lower- and middle-income people are also impacted. The U.S. Department of Justice defines a victim of identity theft as someone who has experienced the unauthorized use of an existing account (such as a banking or telephone account), an unauthorized attempt to set up a new account in their name, or the use of their personal information to commit fraud, such as renting an apartment under a stolen name.

Credit card fraud is the most common crime identity thieves commit. Other common uses of stolen data are tax and employment fraud and misusing phone, utility, and bank accounts. But beyond the direct harm of having money stolen, identity theft can have surprising impacts:

Losses from taking time off work or school
Out-of-pocket expenses to restore identities and credit ratings
Interest on loans due to identity theft losses

Almost a quarter of identity theft victims have to take time off work because of theft, resulting in direct loss of income, exhausted personal days, or absence-related long-term losses.

Losing time at work

Dealing with identity loss can be time consuming; victims devote an average of 200 hours per 6 months to restoring their identities. Almost a quarter of victims have to take time off work because of theft, resulting in direct loss of income, exhausted personal days, or absence-related long-term losses.

Incidental costs

In an effort to restore their identity, a victim may have to pay these common out-of-pocket expenses: bounced checks, postage, phone calls, and transportation. 40% of victims incur an average of $600 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Surprising costs

More than 15% of identity theft victims are forced to sell or pawn possessions, incurring future costs to redeem or replace the items. Identity theft can affect almost every aspect of life, including the ability to get a driver's license, medical insurance, and prescription medications. And in the rare case that someone commits a crime under a stolen identity, the wrong person could get arrested and face related financial penalties.

A third of identity theft victims had to get loans

Identity theft can throw people into debt. According to the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center's 2023 Consumer Impact Report, 33% of people who had their identities stolen ended up taking out a loan from a bank or credit union to cover related expenses. Another 28% of victims borrowed money from family, friends, or religious organizations. Even loans that don't require interest payments can dampen financial futures.

One of the worst-case loan scenarios is resorting to payday loans, which have exorbitant interest rates. Even worse, the lenders' unscrupulous practices can trap people into recurring long-term cycles of debt. Many must then borrow more from the payday lenders to pay off their original debts.

Victims of identity theft may end up with lower credit scores that make it harder to get approved for borrowing, or require higher interest rates.

Long-term financial damage

Identity theft is a problem that keeps multiplying. A victim could end up with a lower credit score that makes it harder to get approved for borrowing or requires higher interest rates. A failed or unappealing credit check could prevent someone from renting an apartment, getting a job, or receiving security clearance. Even someone who can eventually restore their credit may miss out on time-sensitive opportunities such as applications for jobs and apartments.

Almost a third of victims report that theft caused problems at work, while 8% said it caused problems at school. These setbacks could have long-term repercussions as some people who fall behind may not be able to catch up.

Dealing with identity theft is more than just a hassle. Eva Velasquez, CEO and president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said that 75% of victims reported feeling severely distressed, which can lead to immediate, long-term financial deficits. A quarter of identity theft victims sought stress-related medical care. Other potential losses could stem from lost opportunities and career damage.

Recovering from identity theft

It takes a while for life to get back to normal after identity theft. For some, the problems may never be resolved. Victims can change account numbers, but not static information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates. Once identity thieves steal that information, they can sell or reuse it.

Protect yourself from identity theft

Monitoring your accounts is the best way to reinforce identity theft protection. To further prevent fraudulent activity, invest in an identity theft protection service like Experian ProtectMyID. This service provides identity theft monitoring and alerts, Social Security number monitoring, and address change verification. As a AAA member, you could get the Essential plan free, or save on the Deluxe and Platinum plans.

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