Technology

Do you know the true cost of identity theft?

Published

3 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Do you know the true cost of identity theft?

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Identity theft tied to major data broker breaches has cost Americans more than $20 billion over the past decade, according to a 2026 report from the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee.

That figure comes from just four breaches: Equifax (2017), Exactis (2018), National Public Data (2023) and TransUnion (2025). The estimate applies federal identity-theft loss data, including a typical loss of about $200 per victim, across hundreds of millions of exposed records.

The result is a multibillion-dollar total. It’s also a narrow one. The calculation shows reported financial losses. It doesn’t account for damaged credit files, delayed loan approvals, higher borrowing costs or the hours consumers spend restoring their financial records after misuse.

So where does that leave you?

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

HOW DEBIT CARD FRAUD CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT USING THE CARD

Massive data breaches at Equifax, Exactis, National Public Data and TransUnion exposed personal information that criminals later used for identity theft and financial fraud. (Nastasic/Getty Images)

What this median leaves out

The $200 figure used in the federal estimate is a median. It marks the midpoint of reported identity theft losses collected by the FTC. Many cases fall above it. FTC Consumer Sentinel data shows that losses swing widely depending on how the fraud happens. When money is moved through bank transfers or payment apps, reported median losses are markedly higher than in cases involving unauthorized credit card charges.

Loan or lease fraud can leave you with balances that need formal disputes before lenders correct the record. Reversing a charge doesn’t automatically restore a credit file. Accounts opened in your name can generate hard inquiries.

Missed payments linked to fraudulent loans can appear before the account is identified as fraudulent. And lenders reviewing a mortgage or auto application evaluate the report as it exists at that time. A $200 median captures a reported dollar amount. It falls short of showing how identity misuse can stifle borrowing terms or access to credit later.

The time cost of identity theft

After identity theft, the first step the FTC directs you to take is to file a report at IdentityTheft.gov. That generates a recovery plan and an identity theft report, which can be used to dispute fraudulent accounts. This is your starting point, and not anywhere close to a resolution.

Victims are instructed to contact each affected creditor directly, close or freeze compromised accounts and request written confirmation that the account was fraudulent. If a new line of credit was opened, that often requires submitting more documentation, completing affidavits and following up until the lender updates its reporting to the credit bureaus.

The FTC also advises placing a fraud alert with one of the three nationwide credit bureaus, which must notify the others. A credit freeze must be placed separately with each bureau. If you later apply for credit, they must temporarily lift the freeze before lenders can access your credit report. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reports that victims frequently spend weeks resolving cases involving new account fraud. Complex cases can stretch even longer, especially when collection agencies become involved or when fraudulent tax returns trigger IRS identity verification.

1 BILLION IDENTITY RECORDS EXPOSED IN ID VERIFICATION DATA LEAK

An identity theft victim in Albany, New York, looks over documents he’s gathered. Victims of identity theft frequently spend weeks disputing fraudulent accounts, contacting lenders and restoring their credit reports after stolen data is misused. (John Carl D’Annibale/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

During that period, you may be gathering records, mailing certified letters, waiting on hold with creditors or tracking dispute deadlines. The process moves at the pace of institutional review. All this time required to repair records is part of the cost of your stolen identity.

Earlier this year, a 57-year-old woman in Los Alamitos, California, discovered her identity had been stolen after receiving a voicemail from a Hertz rental location in Miami asking when she planned to return a Mercedes-Benz. She had never rented the vehicle, reported $78,500 in losses and spent nearly 10 days trying to recover from a single stolen ID.

Here’s where identity theft becomes more expensive

In its March 2025 Consumer Sentinel Network release, the FTC said consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023. Identity theft made up a large share of those reports. When misuse goes undetected, it spreads.

A stolen Social Security number can be used to open multiple accounts over time. Hard inquiries appear across different credit bureaus. New lenders and collection agencies show up, and each additional account adds another dispute you need to resolve. Identity theft often doesn’t stop after the first incident.

The ITRC says 31.5% of general consumer victims were targeted twice in a year, and 24.6% were hit three times last year. Even though fewer people reported a first-time identity theft, repeat targeting is becoming more common. Once your information is exposed, it can be used again. Losses can grow fast, too.

The same ITRC report found that more than 20% of victims reported losses exceeding $100,000. As the fraud spreads, so does the cleanup. What starts as a single unauthorized account can turn into disputes with lenders, credit bureaus and collection agencies. That buildup over time is where identity theft becomes more expensive.

How identity theft protection and credit monitoring can help

If you rely on occasional credit checks or alerts from a single bank, you’re only seeing activity tied to one account. If fraud appears elsewhere, it may not surface until a lender flags it.

Identity protection services can track activity across all three major credit bureaus and alert you to new inquiries or accounts as they appear. Some also scan breach datasets for exposed personal identifiers, including Social Security numbers and email addresses. Earlier alerts mean fewer fraudulent accounts can accumulate before you step in.

5 MYTHS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT THAT PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK

Identity theft tied to major data broker breaches has cost Americans more than $20 billion over the past decade, according to a Senate report. (Sara Diggins/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)

Many services provide three-bureau credit monitoring and real-time alerts when there are changes to your credit report. Some also scan known data breach records for exposed personal information and connect members with fraud resolution specialists who help with documentation and disputes. Certain plans include identity theft insurance that can help cover eligible recovery costs, subject to policy limits.

Monitoring does not prevent every identity theft attempt. It can reduce how far fraud spreads and how long it takes to contain it.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The numbers tied to major data broker breaches show just how expensive stolen information can become. A single exposed record may seem harmless at first, but once that information spreads through the data broker ecosystem, it can resurface again and again. For many victims, the real damage is not just the money lost. It is the time spent disputing accounts, repairing credit files and trying to stop fraud from spreading further. Identity theft rarely happens in one clean event. It often unfolds slowly as criminals reuse the same stolen details across multiple lenders, services and databases. The good news is that you are not powerless. Monitoring your credit, limiting how widely your personal information appears online and responding quickly to alerts can reduce the damage if your information is misused. The earlier you catch suspicious activity, the easier it is to stop it before it spreads.

Have you ever checked your credit report or searched your name online and found information about yourself that surprised you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Related Topics:cybercrime Featured Finance Privacy robbery theft

Click to comment

Technology

Why Microsoft’s war on Windows’ Control Panel is taking so long

Published

7 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Why Microsoft’s war on Windows’ Control Panel is taking so long

Microsoft first started trying to get rid of the Control Panel in 2012, with the launch of Windows 8. More than a decade later, it’s still working on migrating all the old Control Panel items into the modern Settings app in Windows 11. While there have been hints that the Control Panel might finally go away, the reality is a lot more complicated for Microsoft.

“We’re doing it carefully because there are a lot of different network and printer devices & drivers we need to make sure we don’t break in the process,” explains March Rogers, partner director of design at Microsoft. I could be wrong, but I think this is the first full explanation we’ve had from Microsoft about why it’s taken so long to get rid of the Control Panel.

It looked like Microsoft was about to finally cut the Control Panel in 2024, after years of Microsoft pushing aside the Control Panel in its latest Windows 11 updates. But a support note hinting at the imminent removal of the Control Panel was quickly updated to confirm Microsoft was still in the process of migrating the Control Panel to the Settings app.

Last year Microsoft also migrated clock settings, keyboard character repeat delay, mouse cursor blink rate, and formatting for time, number, and currency into the Settings app. There are also plenty of other mouse settings in the main Settings app that let you avoid the Control Panel these days.

I can’t remember the last time I used the Control Panel thanks to Microsoft’s recent mouse and keyboard improvements to the main Settings app, but a lot of Windows users used to prefer the legacy interface simply because you don’t have to dig into multiple levels to find different controls.

Microsoft is “focusing on design craft in Windows at the moment,” according to Rogers. The Settings interface is being “redesigned for clarity” this month, alongside other improvements to Windows 11 that are part of a broader effort to fix the OS.

Technology

Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life

Published

8 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Ready for a home robot that wakes you up, makes breakfast and even cleans the house afterward? It may sound far-fetched. However, the Chinese robotics company UniX AI says it is closer than most people think.

The company’s new Panther series robot is designed to handle full daily routines rather than just one task at a time. It can move through a home, interact with objects and complete multistep actions without constant input.

UniX AI is already testing the system in real homes and service environments. That shift from the lab to everyday use is what makes this worth paying attention to.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

AI ROBOT NOW HELPS TRAVELERS AT SAN JOSÉ AIRPORT

A new home robot from UniX AI is being tested on chores like laundry, kitchen work and picking up household items. The company says the goal is a machine that can finish full routines with limited input. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The tech behind this AI home robot

The robot stands about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs roughly 170 pounds based on reported specs. Instead of walking like a humanoid, it moves on wheels. That choice improves stability and helps it run longer on a single charge. This robot can run roughly 6 to 12 hours, depending on use.

A six-microphone array lets it hear and respond to voice commands. That gives it a more natural way to interact with people. Its robotic arms are another key piece. They have multiple joints and can lift up to about 26 pounds. That allows for precise movements like picking up items or placing them exactly where they belong.

Under the hood, the robot is packed with sensors and hardware that help it understand and move through your home. It uses cameras and depth sensors to see objects and spaces. It can also rely on LiDAR to map its surroundings and avoid obstacles.

What this AI home robot can actually do

This robot is designed to follow through on tasks from start to finish. Instead of stopping after one action, it can continue working through a routine without needing constant input.

In recent demonstrations, UniX AI shows the robot preparing food, organizing items and interacting with home appliances inside real residential settings.

That matters because real homes are messy and unpredictable. The robot has to recognize objects, adjust to different layouts and handle tasks in sequence.

Here are a few examples of what it is being tested to do:

Prepare simple meals and handle kitchen tasks
Assist with basic routines like morning prep
Clean rooms and surfaces
Pick up and organize everyday items
Move objects from one place to another
Handle laundry tasks like moving clothes and hanging them to dry

Some of these tasks may sound simple, but they are difficult for machines. Handling objects, moving through tight spaces and working around everyday clutter are still major challenges in robotics.

This is what makes the system stand out. It is not just completing one action. It is working through a series of steps in real environments.

US TARGETS CHINESE ROBOTS OVER SECURITY FEARS

UniX AI says its new Panther robot can handle daily household routines, from meal prep to cleaning, in real homes. The company is positioning it as a general-purpose home assistant, not a single-task machine. (REUTERS/Steve Marcus)

Why this AI home robot is different

Most home robots you see today are built for one job. Think robot vacuums or lawn mowers. This system brings those functions into one platform. It works more like a general-purpose helper.

The difference comes down to how it handles tasks. It can plan and complete a sequence instead of waiting for step-by-step instructions. That is where embodied AI comes in.

It connects software intelligence with physical movement in the real world. Instead of only answering questions, the robot can take action.

What is holding AI home robots back

Even with all this progress, there are real hurdles. Homes are unpredictable. Lighting changes throughout the day. Objects come in all shapes and textures. Spaces get cluttered fast. Tasks that seem simple to humans can be difficult for machines. Folding clothes, handling soft materials or moving through tight spaces are still major challenges. Cost and safety matter too. Most people will not bring a robot into their home unless it can handle all of that and work reliably every single day.

What this means to you

You are not replacing your morning routine with a robot tomorrow. But this shows where things are heading. The idea of a home assistant that handles chores is moving closer to reality. That could mean less time spent cleaning and more time for everything else.

At the same time, it raises questions about trust, privacy and cost. A robot that sees your home and hears your voice needs strong safeguards.

For now, think of this as an early glimpse. It is not about buying one today. It is about understanding what could become normal sooner than expected.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS SPEED AND REAL SKILL

UniX AI’s robot is designed to cook, clean, organize and assist with daily routines in residential settings. The early tests offer a glimpse at how embodied AI could reshape life at home. (REUTERS/Tingshu Wang)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The idea of a robot that cooks, cleans and organizes your life has been around for decades. What feels different now is how close the pieces are coming together. This robot shows real progress in combining movement, perception and decision-making. It is still early, but it is already being tested in real homes. The next few years will show whether it becomes something more of us rely on every day.

If a robot could handle your daily chores, would you trust it inside your home? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Technology

Nothing’s noise-canceling CMF Buds 2A are down to just $19.99 just for today

Published

19 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Nothing’s noise-canceling CMF Buds 2A are down to just .99 just for today

It’s not every day you find a decent pair of wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and app support for less than $20, which is why the current lighting deal on the CMF Buds 2A stands out. Now through 11:15PM ET today, April 7th, Nothing’s budget earbuds are available on Amazon in all three colors for just $19.99 ($29 off), which matches their lowest price to date.

For the price, the Buds 2A cover the basics and then some. They deliver decent (albeit a little tinny) sound and 42 decibels of noise cancellation, along with an IP54 rating and a useful transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. They also provide a commendable eight hours of battery life per charge with ANC disabled — or up to 35.5 with the included charging case — and feature four onboard mics that leverage Nothing’s noise reduction tech, which helps boost voice call quality. I wouldn’t say voice clarity is their strong suit, though, again, they’re a $20 pair of earbuds.

Like the rest of Nothing’s entry-level earbuds, the 2A also work with the Nothing X app, adding a level of flexibility that’s hard to find at this price. With the app, you can tweak EQ settings, adjust the bass response, switch between ANC modes, or quickly enable multi-device pairing. There’s even a “find my earbuds” feature if you lose them, and you can assign a gesture to trigger your phone’s virtual assistant on the fly, whether that’s Siri or Google Assistant. On top of that, if you’re using a Nothing or CMF phone, you can use your voice to access ChatGPT directly through the earbuds.