Ponemon Institute Tracks ID Theft

The Ponemon Institute has been tracking individuals’ attitudes on the possibility of becoming victims of identity theft since 2004. They ask the question: “Will you become a victim of an identity theft at some point in the future?” Still prior to the ChoicePoint incident in Feb. 2005, it started at 47 percent answering yes in August 2004. It shot up to 70 percent right after CP, and peaked at 82 percent right after the May 2006 VA data breach of 26.5 million records. What I don’t understand is that, if as little as 47 percent of the population thinks they will experience ID theft, why don’t we hear a roar from this group demanding that something be done to give them the control over their sensitive data to keep this from happening? In their studies, Ponemon has found that Americans remain concerned over a “loss of civil liberties and privacy rights,” and “surveillance into personal life.” Folks, it’s time to put up or shut up!