Complaints about identity theft nearly doubled in 2002 as the fast-growing crime topped the government's list of consumer frauds for a third consecutive year. The Federal Trade Commission reports that 43 percent of roughly 380,000 complaints involved the hijacking of . . .
Complaints about identity theft nearly doubled in 2002 as the fast-growing crime topped the government's list of consumer frauds for a third consecutive year. The Federal Trade Commission reports that 43 percent of roughly 380,000 complaints involved the hijacking of someone's identity information, such as credit card or Social Security number, to steal money or commit fraud.

The figures come from a government database of complaints collected from the FTC, the FBI and scores of law enforcement and consumer groups. Gripes about fraud in Internet auctions ranked No. 2 and accounted for 13 percent of complaints.

Outlining the most-frequent complaints on a nationally broadcast interview Wednesday, the FTC's Howard Beales said reports from consumers have increased with greater awareness of the problem prompted by recent high-profile identity-theft cases.

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