ID theft - your reaction?

[img_assist|nid=8511|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66] ID theft is not an uncommon thing today. A special center for assistance at identity theft ITAC (Identity Theft Assistance Center) has promulgated the results of survey where they have note that the first step most consumers take upon learning, or suspecting, they are a victim is to contact their financial services company.

The survey was based on the responses of 1615 confirmed identity theft victims whom the ITAC has helped. 65% has said that the first thing they did was to contact their financial services company. 10% contacted the credit reporting bureaus. 7% addressed the police, and 2% checked their accounts online. Approximately 14% acted differently, for example took a call from their financial services company concerning the suspicious activity in their account and contacted family members.

"The message for financial service companies is clear- your customers need you and turn to you first for help at an emotional time. It's a moment that offers risk or reward, given the stakes of the competitive environment," said Anne Wallace, President of ITAC.

"No matter the source of the crime, identity theft usually lands at our door. How well we handle it can make a big difference in the success of our relationship with that customer," said Robert Shiflet, Senior Vice President, Bank of America.