Hmm, this is a disturbing trend, although I suppose that the more people that use the internet the more it’s going to happen:

More online shoppers aiding identity thieves

According to statistics from Phone Busters and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre, which is operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadians have reported 8,048 cases of identity theft so far this year, totalling $7.3 million in losses.

In 2007, there were 9,971 cases of identity theft reported, totalling only $6.4 million in losses.

Amazingly enough, a lot of these identity theft problems are not just happening to “newbies” on computers – I just had a friend of mine who would be considered a high level computer user, well aware of how identity theft works have his credit card details stolen and put to use.

The sad part is that he could only trace the details back to one transaction he made at a U-haul depot.

This pretty much means that we are no longer in control of protecting our own identities. No matter what precautions you take, you may still be a vicitim if the companies you are doing business with are not careful with you personal information.