Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a report that they received 250,854 complaints about identity theft in 2010. That number is 19% of the total complaints the agency received, putting it at the top of the consumer complaint list for the 11th year in a row.Credit card fraud was among the most common among complaints, along with imposter scams -- where imposters posed as friends, family, respected companies or government agencies to get consumers to send them money.ID theft can happen to anyone so it pays to be on alert year-round. According to the FTC, authorities took nearly 1.3 million complaints in 2010 regarding fraud or identity theft. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, as many people don't know they've been victimized.High-risk statesAccording to the FTC, the following states had the most identity theft complaints per capita in 2010:North CarolinaColoradoWashingtonMichiganFloridaCost-effective coverageIdentity theft can cost victims anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. But Safeco’s coverage costs just $12 a year for homeowners policyholders.Safeco’s identity-recovery coverage is for instances where the insured incurs out-of-pocket expenses due to this kind of theft. In some circumstances, the coverage may provide for reimbursement of some wages or for some of the expense incurred for credit reports. Of course, it would be better if the theft didn’t occur at all – which is why all Safeco customers can get guidance on how to protect themselves from ID theft before it happens.How are identity-recovery claims handled at Safeco?If the insured has had a theft from their home, automobile or business, they could become victims of identity theft. In cases where sensitive information has been stolen or might have been stolen, Safeco policyholders have access to Hartford Steam Boiler’s ID Recovery Help Line: 800-631-9073. Individuals at this number can provide the insured with helpful identity-theft detection and prevention tips and assistance, answering questions such as:How can I protect my identity?Should I freeze my credit?How do I order a credit report?Once HSB has confirmed coverage with Safeco, HSB will handle these claims. When it comes time to pay a claim, HSB alerts Safeco. A specialized unit has been set up within Safeco with handlers designated to adjust the actual payment of these claims. The claim must fall within the coverage offered. Not all costs associated with an identity theft are covered — check the appropriate policy for covered items.Does the customer need to have identity-recovery coverage to obtain helpful advice?No! HSB can offer customers some useful information and tips for prevention even if the Safeco policyholder does not have identity-recovery coverage.For more informationReview helpful tips to prevent identity theft and be sure to contact your Territory Manager, Agency Specialist or Account Executive with questions.