Contrary to popular belief, more identity theft crimes originate with paper transactions than with Internet-based activity. Moreover, the average loss in a fraud detected online was just $551 … while the figure is more than $4,500 when personal statements and bills are the source of the crime. One reason is this: People accessing accounts on line detect the theft sooner than those waiting for monthly statements to come in the mail. Over 9 million identity thefts occurred in 2004 … down from the year prior. A lost or stolen wallet or checkbook is often the starting point…and more than half of all identity theft is committed by someone known to the victim.