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Identity Theft Continues to Grow – and Your Customers Want You to Protect Them

Published: December 13, 2023 by Brian Funicelli

identity theft protection

Online activity is a routine part of people’s days. Americans spend an average of 4 hours and 25 minutes on their phones every day,[1] and many regularly use multiple devices to access the internet. However, with more time spent in the digital space, the risk of identity theft and fraud also continues to grow.

The growing threat of identity fraud

This year, the FTC has already received 5.7 million total fraud and identity theft reports, 1.4 million of which were identity theft cases.[2] More consumers are becoming vulnerable to the threat of identity fraud, but many are unsure of how to protect themselves.

To avoid monetary loss and significant lifestyle disruption, consumers are looking to their financial institutions to provide resources to help them prevent identity theft and protect their personal information online.

Consumers want identity protection from their financial institutions

Consumers also expect their banks to carry the responsibility of protecting their private data from the risk of theft. While most of them trust in the security provided by their banks, about 50% of consumers want their banks to offer additional protective measures.[3] This creates an opportunity for financial institutions to fulfill the role of “data protector” for the customers that depend on them.

The convenience of a full suite of financial services all in one place is also important to consumers, as 45% would prefer to get all their banking products from the same financial institution.[4]

While consumers need identity protection, businesses need new ways to engage their customers and drive more revenue. Fortunately, offering identity protection is an effective way to maintain a sticky relationship with your customers while delivering an enhanced, engaging experience.

Protect your customers from fraud with Identity Protection Services

With identity protection, your customers can:

  • Check for exposed personal information and lower their risk of identity theft
  • Reduce their exposure and decide who can track their activity and access their personal information online
  • Keep control of their digital identity by reclaiming exposed personal information, increasing their privacy, and avoiding future risk

An identity protection solution provides a comprehensive strategy to avoid the risk of identity theft, while delivering exceptional results that your customers need to feel safe and secure.

Providing frequent updates and recommendations about their digital identity and credit score allows you to maintain an engaging communication channel with your customers and boost your brand interaction. For example, the average Experian® user had a 60% alert open rate and 12% post-alert login rate.[5]

As they continue to receive useful suggestions for strengthening their online security, your customers may interact with your app or website more regularly and consistently. This can create valuable opportunities for you to encourage them to open new accounts, start new credit lines, or borrow more money.

In addition, giving your customers an added layer of assurance can drive them to remain loyal, long-standing customers to your business.

  • 96% of active Experian subscribers with a free bundle were still subscribed after 12 months[6]
  • 90% of active Experian subscribers with a paid bundle were still subscribed after 12 months[6]
  • Less than 1% churn rate with fewer than 100 service calls[7]

Consumers want protection from thieves who might steal their personal information, and they expect it from a trusted source. By offering an identity protection solution, you can foster stronger relationships with your customers while reducing their vulnerability to fraud.

Visit our website to see how Identity Protection Services can help you deliver best-in-class protection for your customers.

[1]PC Magazine. Americans Check Their Phones an Alarming Number of Times Per Day. May 2023.

[2]IdentityTheft.org. 2023 Identity Theft Facts and Statistics.

[3]PYMTS. Half of Consumers Want More Security Measures From Banks, January 2023.

[4]PYMTS. 45% of US Consumers Want Banking Bundles. August 2022.

[5]Experian Data, average user experience with Digital Identity Manager, May 2023.

[6]Experiandata, August 2023.

[7]Experian Data, average user experience with Digital Identity Manager, May 2023.

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As data breaches become an ever-growing threat to businesses, the role of employees in maintaining cybersecurity has never been more critical. Did you know that 82% of data breaches involve the human element1 , such as phishing, stolen credentials, or social engineering tactics? These statistics reveal a direct connection between employee identity theft and business vulnerabilities. In this blog, we’ll explore why protecting your employees’ identities is essential to reducing data breach risk, how employee-focused identity protection programs, and specifically employee identity protection, improve both cybersecurity and employee engagement, and how businesses can implement comprehensive solutions to safeguard sensitive data and enhance overall workforce well-being. The Rising Challenge: Data Breaches and Employee Identity Theft The past few years have seen an exponential rise in data breaches. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were 1,571 data compromises in the first half of 2024, impacting more than 1.1 billion individuals – a 490% increase year over year2. A staggering proportion of these breaches originated from compromised employee credentials or phishing attacks. Explore Experian's Employee Benefits Solutions The Link Between Employee Identity Theft and Cybersecurity Risks Phishing and Social EngineeringPhishing attacks remain one of the top strategies used by cybercriminals. These attacks often target employees by exploiting personal information stolen through identity theft. For example, a cybercriminal who gains access to an employee's compromised email or social accounts can use this information to craft realistic phishing messages, tricking them into divulging sensitive company credentials. Compromised Credentials as Entry PointsCompromised employee credentials were responsible for 16% of breaches and were the costliest attack vector, averaging $4.5 million per breach3. When an employee’s identity is stolen, it can give hackers a direct line to your company’s network, jeopardizing sensitive data and infrastructure. The Cost of DowntimeBeyond the financial impact, data breaches disrupt operations, erode customer trust, and harm your brand. For businesses, the average downtime from a breach can last several weeks – time that could otherwise be spent growing revenue and serving clients. Why Businesses Need to Prioritize Employee Identity Protection Protecting employee identities isn’t just a personal benefit – it’s a strategic business decision. Here are three reasons why identity protection for employees is essential to your cybersecurity strategy: 1. Mitigate Human Risk in Cybersecurity Employee mistakes, often resulting from phishing scams or misuse of credentials, are a leading cause of breaches. By equipping employees with identity protection services, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of stolen information being exploited by fraudsters and cybercriminals. 2. Boost Employee Engagement and Financial Wellness Providing identity protection as part of an employee benefits package signals that you value your workforce’s security and well-being. Beyond cybersecurity, offering such protections can enhance employee loyalty, reduce stress, and improve productivity. Employers who pair identity protection with financial wellness tools can empower employees to monitor their credit, secure their finances, and protect against fraud, all of which contribute to a more engaged workforce. 3. Enhance Your Brand Reputation A company’s cybersecurity practices are increasingly scrutinized by customers, stakeholders, and regulators. When you demonstrate that you prioritize not just protecting your business, but also safeguarding your employees’ identities, you position your brand as a leader in security and trustworthiness. Practical Strategies to Protect Employee Identities and Reduce Data Breach Risk How can businesses take actionable steps to mitigate risks and protect their employees? Here are some best practices: Offer Comprehensive Identity Protection Solutions A robust identity protection program should include: Real-time monitoring for identity theft Alerts for suspicious activity on personal accounts Data and device protection to protect personal information and devices from identity theft, hacking and other online threats Fraud resolution services for affected employees Credit monitoring and financial wellness tools Leading providers like Experian offer customizable employee benefits packages that provide proactive identity protection, empowering employees to detect and resolve potential risks before they escalate. Invest in Employee Education and Training Cybersecurity is only as strong as your least-informed employee. Provide regular training sessions and provide resources to help employees recognize phishing scams, understand the importance of password hygiene, and learn how to avoid oversharing personal data online. 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