Due to the rise of identity theft incidents being reported yearly, many organizations are implementing their own identity theft programs to provide citizens education to fight this spiteful crime. Since becoming a victim of identity theft can be a life-changing experience, both emotionally and financially, learning to prevent the occurrence of this crime through identity theft programs can help you and your families live a normal and happy life without someone else meddling with your personal information.
One of the most devastating and potentially deadly forms of data breaches involves stolen electronic medical records and the resulting medical identity theft. Hackers can wreak havoc by stealing your personal health information to either sell or use themselves to impersonate you when they need medical treatment. If an identity thief gets medical treatment using your name, the thief's medical information--such as test results, allergies, blood type, or illnesses--will become part of your medical file. Certain conditions or procedures performed using your good name can prevent you from being able to get health insurance or even receive the medical help you need.
Since the United States has the highest rate of identity theft compared to other countries, the FTC has been working fulltime to distribute online and print informational materials to ensure all consumers are aware of this crime. With over 20 million copies of the information booklet distributed, the FTC identity theft program is reaching one household at a time to reduce the occurrence of identity theft in the country. Private organization that help consumers fight identity theft are also using the FTC identity theft program to empower citizens in protecting themselves against the damages caused by this crime.
According to the Ponemon Institute, healthcare data breaches alone were up 32 percent and the average data breach loss cost $7.2 million in 2010. The Identity Theft Resource Center stated that the theft of medical data increased by 50 percent in 2011.
Using the FTC identity theft program can help other organizations hold seminars and distribute educational materials about fighting identity theft. Since education is the only key to avoiding this crime, consumers can now be aware on how to identify these problems and take immediate actions if ever they become a victim of identity theft.
One of the most devastating and potentially deadly forms of data breaches involves stolen electronic medical records and the resulting medical identity theft. Hackers can wreak havoc by stealing your personal health information to either sell or use themselves to impersonate you when they need medical treatment. If an identity thief gets medical treatment using your name, the thief's medical information--such as test results, allergies, blood type, or illnesses--will become part of your medical file. Certain conditions or procedures performed using your good name can prevent you from being able to get health insurance or even receive the medical help you need.
Since the United States has the highest rate of identity theft compared to other countries, the FTC has been working fulltime to distribute online and print informational materials to ensure all consumers are aware of this crime. With over 20 million copies of the information booklet distributed, the FTC identity theft program is reaching one household at a time to reduce the occurrence of identity theft in the country. Private organization that help consumers fight identity theft are also using the FTC identity theft program to empower citizens in protecting themselves against the damages caused by this crime.
According to the Ponemon Institute, healthcare data breaches alone were up 32 percent and the average data breach loss cost $7.2 million in 2010. The Identity Theft Resource Center stated that the theft of medical data increased by 50 percent in 2011.
Using the FTC identity theft program can help other organizations hold seminars and distribute educational materials about fighting identity theft. Since education is the only key to avoiding this crime, consumers can now be aware on how to identify these problems and take immediate actions if ever they become a victim of identity theft.
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