2008 Identity Fraud Survey Report: Identity Fraud Continues to Decline, But Criminals More Effective at Using All Channels

The Javelin 2008 Identity Fraud Survey Report provides a detailed, comprehensive analysis of identity fraud in the United States in order to help consumers and businesses better understand the effectiveness of methods used for its prevention, detection and resolution. A nationally representative sample of over 5,000 US adults, including 445 fraud victims, was surveyed via a 49-question phone interview to gain insight into this crime and the effects on its victims. This report is issued as a longitudinal update to the Javelin 2005, 2006, and 2007 Identity Fraud Survey reports.

The set of questions and underlying methodology used for this report were identical to or highly similar to the 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003 surveys. This allows the ability to provide longitudinal trends on various subjects, such as incidence rates and detection methods.

Javelin employed the Discovery Research Group for this survey' s data collection. Discovery, one of the nation' s largest data collection providers, is recognized as a reputable data collection service firm with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Previous studies employed Synovate for all phases of data collection using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) via Random-Digit -Dialing (RDD). Synovate has since changed their sampling method from RDD to a remunerated opt-in panel. In order to maintain consistency in methodology by continuing to sample respondents through RDD, Javelin engaged the services of the Discovery Research Group for the 2008 study.