The danger of identity theft is not overblown. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there were over 6.1 million reports of identity theft in 2021, with losses totaling over $5.2 billion. This represents a significant increase from previous years, and the numbers are likely to continue to climb due to the growing sophistication of identity thieves.

Here are some of the reasons why the danger of identity theft is not overblown:

1. Identity theft can have a devastating impact on your finances and can take years to clear up. It can result in loss of money, difficulty obtaining credit, and legal issues.

2. Identity thieves can use your information to open new accounts in your name, such as credit cards, bank accounts, and loans. This can lead to significant debt and damage to your credit score.

3. Identity thieves can also use your information to file fraudulent tax returns, make purchases in your name, and even rent apartments or houses. This can all add up to thousands of dollars in losses.

4. In addition to the financial impact, identity theft can also have a significant emotional toll. Dealing with the aftermath of identity theft can be very stressful and time-consuming.

However, you can protect yourself from identity theft by taking some simple steps, such as:

- Monitoring your credit score regularly for any irregularities

- Reporting any lost or stolen credit cards immediately

- Shredding any documents that contain personal information before disposing of them

- Being careful about the information you share online and using strong passwords and security measures across all devices