Survey: ID theft takes time to wipe clean

A nationwide survey of 1,097 ID theft victims in the US shows that it takes quite some time and effort for victims to clear their names. One third of the victims blame the internet for disclosing their information. Other info:

USATODAY.com - Survey: ID theft takes time to wipe clean

"...The typical ID-theft victim is in his or her 40s, white, married, college-educated and with annual income of $50,000 to $75,000, the Nationwide survey says.

Someone such as Scott Cummins, 45, who works at an insurance company in Ohio. He did not take part in Nationwide's survey, but his case is indicative of what happens to many ID-theft victims.

In early 2003, a crook who swiped Cummins' name and Social Security number opened two credit card accounts under the name C. Scott Cummins.

More than $4,000 was charged to the cards. Cummins discovered the fraud when a collection-agency rep called him, demanding payment, in October. Cummins requested a credit report, contacted the card issuer and, 45 days later, the mess was cleaned up, he says. "The biggest hassle I've ever been a part of in my life." Cummins isn't taking any chances. "I'm on my second shredder," he says."