Control Room: Why identity theft is more personal and more dangerous than ever

In this episode of Control Room, James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), draws on years of frontline experience helping victims recover and rebuild. His perspective reveals how identity crime has evolved into a threat that is not only more widespread, but more personal and more dangerous than ever before.

The hidden and human impact of identity crime

When people think about identity theft, they often focus on financial loss. But the emotional toll can be just as severe. Victims frequently experience shame, guilt, and feel anxious, often blaming themselves for not spotting the scam sooner. In reality, scammers are highly skilled at manipulation, and identity crime can happen to anyone.

Some cases go far beyond financial damage. James E. Lee explains how he has helped people who have experienced devastating loss after scams wiped out life savings and left them feeling hopeless. These cases are rare, but they reveal an essential truth that identity crime can have life-altering consequences.

Watch the full Control Room episode on YouTube to learn more.

Why scams are growing

Scammers continue to evolve, but their goal is always the same: create fear and urgency that pushes people to act without thinking. Common scams today include jury duty texts, fake QR codes in public places, and job scams designed to collect personal information. If a message creates panic or pressure, that is your cue to pause.

Much of this activity is fueled by data breaches. Stolen usernames, passwords, and personal information are reused in automated attacks against banks, retailers, and government services. While you may not control where your data is stored, you can make it harder to exploit by using unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and adopting password managers or passkeys.

A practical way to think about identity protection

One way to understand modern identity crime is to think of it as personal espionage. Your personal information functions like sensitive intelligence. When exposed, it can be exploited repeatedly and at scale. Treating identity protection as an everyday security practice helps reduce risk without creating fear.

Staying informed does not mean becoming paranoid. Preparedness can be part of daily life, just like locking your doors or driving defensively. If you or someone you know is dealing with identity theft, LifeLock can help.

Watch James E. Lee on Control Room

Tune in to the latest episode of Control Room on the LifeLock YouTube channel and hear from identity theft expert and President of the Identity Theft Resource Center, President James E. Lee. Learn small, practical steps you can take to help reduce your risk of identity theft and steps to take if you become a victim. All Control Room episodes are available and feature the latest insights and protection details to help you stay informed and keep your identity safe.