A British insurance company recently conducted a survey of victims of burglary, and found that many burglars looking personal documents. In 2008, 15% of British burglary victims were targeted specifically for sensitive information, and 74% of burglaries resulted in the theft of some personal or financial documents. LV, the firm that conducted the survey, said that credit cards, passports and other sensitive personal documents are easy for burglars to sell on the black market. And they are certainly easier to steal a TV or other bulky possession. John O'Roarke, the managing director of the company, suggested that owners store personal documents securely and if possible separately since many documents with the same identity can be sold for much more money.
It is unlikely that the British are the only burglars who took on the potential value of personal documents. Identity theft is easier and more lucrative than stealing goods. And while the victims rarely suffer financial losses in the long run, the time and effort required to restore your identity can be a consequence more severe. You probably have the assurance of the owner or tenant. To save you the pain that comes with identity theft, consider investing in identity theft protection.