The Real Cost of Identity Theft: It’s More Than Money
When people think about identity theft, they often imagine stolen credit cards or drained bank accounts. But the true cost of having your personal information exposed goes far beyond dollars.
It’s your time, your peace of mind, and even your ability to trust simple, everyday things like a phone call or text message.
The Hidden Toll of Data Exposure
Scammers and spammers have turned your phone into a minefield. Every ring could be a fake bank alert, a “missed” delivery scam, or someone claiming you owe unpaid taxes. The result? Most of us just stop answering altogether. What was once a tool for staying connected with friends and family now feels like an intrusion.
Even your text messages aren’t safe. The familiar ping that used to mean a joke from a friend or a message from your spouse now triggers suspicion. Is it a code for two-factor authentication, or is it a scammer pretending to be the CRA or IRS? This constant noise steals more than time; it steals trust.
The Price in Hours and Dollars
If your identity is stolen, the road back to normal is long and painful. On average, victims spend over 200 hours (that’s five full work weeks) trying to recover. They can face more than $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, not including what was stolen.
And then there’s the emotional cost: stress, anxiety, and that lingering sense of vulnerability every time you swipe a card or open an email. It changes how you live online—and sometimes even offline.
A Growing Problem
The numbers are staggering. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have been impacted by identity theft or a data breach. And as long as data brokers keep collecting, packaging, and selling your personal information to whoever pays, that number will keep rising.
Taking Back Control
One solution is to have your data removed from data brokers the companies quietly trading your personal details. When your data is harder to access, scammers and spammers have fewer ways to reach you. It won’t stop every scam, but it can dramatically reduce the noise and lower your risk.
See Where You’re Exposed
If you’re ready to take back control, try Reklaim Protect. It continuously removes your data from data brokers, monitors the dark web for leaks, and alerts you when your information appears in a new breach.
Start with the Free Data Exposure Tool to see where your data is at risk, then get 30 days free of Reklaim Protect
