Many reasons why identity theft is rampant is because credit bureaus, credit reporting agencies, and credit lenders do not hold themselves accountable for the theft. It has been estimated that millions of dollars are spent a year on identity theft victims. Businesses and companies offset the price of goods and services by making consumers pay higher prices (O’Neill & Xiao, 2005, p.33). Credit bureaus and lenders do not lose money on identity theft if anything it is a money making a scheme. Credit bureaus have suggested that money generated from credit reports and services are in the millions (Sovern, 2004, p.237). Identity theft will continue to escalate until agencies, lenders, and bureaus take a stand against identity theft and protect their
