It's easier to steal a passport than a television

Posted by Caitlin on October 26th, 2009

A British insurance firm recently conducted a survey of burglary victims, and found that many burglars are looking for personal documents. In 2008, 15% of British burglary victims were targeted specifically for sensitive information, and 74% of burglaries resulted in the theft of some personal or financial documents. LV, the firm that conducted the survey, said that credit cards, passports, and other sensitive personal documents are easy for burglars to sell on the black market. And they're certainly easier to steal than a television or other bulky possession. John O'Roarke, the company's managing director, suggested that homeowners store personal documents securely and, if possible, separately,  since several documents with the same identity can be sold for a great deal more money.

It's unlikely that British burglars are the only ones who've caught on to the potential value of personal documents. Identity theft is easier and more lucrative than theft of possessions. And while victims rarely suffer financial losses in the long run, the time and effort required to restore your identity can be an even harsher consequence. You probably have homeowner's or renter's insurance. To spare yourself the suffering that comes with identity theft, consider investing in identity theft protection.