Data breaches are affecting consumers nationwide and residents in and around Washington, D.C. are not immune to the consequences. According to a survey by Experian, 57 percent have been a victim of identity theft or know someone who has, with about two out of three victims experiencing fraudulent charges on their credit or debit cards. 28 percent discovered a new account was opened in their name.
Survey respondents became aware they were victims of identity theft by their financial institution or card issuer (35 percent) or by noticing charges on their payment card themselves (30 percent). Almost 50 percent of survey respondents attribute the theft to a data breach. One out of five local residents are victims of medical identity theft.
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