 TITLE: How Common Is Identity Theft? CONTENT: How Does Identity Theft Happen?\n-------------------------------\nIdentity theft can come from any number of sources. Common causes of identity theft include:\n*   Public Wi-Fi networks.\n*   Discarded or stolen documents containing personal identifying information.\n*   Data breaches affecting merchants, government agencies, health care companies and other large organizations.\n*   Lost or stolen credit or debit cards.\n*   Social engineering scams that trick consumers into providing card credentials or other private information.\nIn 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped fuel a rise in identity theft. A flurry of COVID-19 scams have popped up that attempt to rob consumers of their stimulus money or encourage them to enter information to access fake testing services. On a broader scale, COVID-19 restrictions have driven many Americans online. Whether for online delivery services or curbside pickup, streaming entertainment or person-to-person payment apps, online and mobile transactions have skyrocketed—increasing everyone's exposure to being hacked. END