Editorial: Outsmart identity theft

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 | 9:01 a.m.

Last year more than 1,100 people in the Las Vegas area reported being victimized by identity thieves, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC also reports that 27.3 million Americans have been victimized over the past five years. The crime is growing daily. Individuals can guard against identity theft in various ways, including checking their credit reports, shredding personal records and mail before discarding them, and keeping updated firewalls in their computers.

Many identity thieves are now outsmarting businesses and government agencies to gain access to other people's personal information. We hope this growing crime is catching their attention and that employees will receive training in how to reduce this crime, which can costs victims thousands of dollars and take them years to clear their names. Add homeland security to the mix, and we have a real problem. Everyone, businesses, government agencies and individuals, should all become more aware of this crime and change our habits and procedures.