Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - 10:37 AM MST
Identity Theft 911 report blames illegal immigration, government inaction for state's top ranking
The Business Journal of Phoenix

A new report by Identity Theft 911 says illegal immigration, fraudulent employment, methamphetamine use and the state's lack of enforcement have helped keep Arizona as the No. 1 spot for identity theft.

Scottsdale-based Identity Theft 911 provides fraud solutions and consumer education to Fortune 500 companies, insurance companies, corporate benefit providers, financial institutions and colleges.

Arizona ranks No. 1 in the nation for identity theft complaints per capita, the number of instances having risen 55 percent since 2002, the report states. Other findings include:

More than 293,000 Arizona residents fell victim to identity theft in 2007.
More than 1.1 million Arizona children's identities have been stolen.
More than a third of stolen identities in Arizona are used for fraudulent employment.
Identity theft cost Arizona victims an estimated $147 million last year.
About 1.57 million Arizona residents, or 25 percent of the state's population, have been victims of identity theft in the last six years.
Copies of the company's white paper, released as part of National Consumer Protection Week, can be obtained by calling For a copy of the white paper, please contact 212-752-8338.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stor ... ily17.html