Take My Wallet, Just Leave My SSN!

Juha-Pekka Tikka5/6/09

Americans are more concerned about someone stealing their Social Security Number (SSN) than their wallet, laptop, or purse, according to a survey released today by Ipsos and San Diego-based ID Analytics. Three in five Americans identified their SSN as the personal item they are most concerned about if someone breaks into their home. Almost 60 percent of American adults said they would rather reduce their identity theft by 20 percent than lose 20 pounds. The telephone survey, which was conducted in April, represents an adroit bit of indirect marketing by ID Analytics, which fights identity theft by using advanced pattern-recognition technology to spot fraudulent consumer transactions.