SPOKANE -- A new government survey claims identity theft is not a growing problem nationwide. But some consumer groups say they're not convinced.

They worry the report will send the wrong message for the holidays, when ID thefts usually spike.

KGW

Consumer advocates say you shouldn't let your guard down just because the statistics are down. Identity theft, especially from car break-ins and scams is still a growing problem in our area.

The report released this week by the Federal Trade Commission claims identity theft is not getting out of hand.

According to a survey, the agency says the number of victims in the U.S has dropped 16 percent in the last 4 years.

Consumer groups say many people surveyed may not have known they were a victim unless they checked their credit reports beforehand.

Plus, retailers and banks, which are usually notified first, are not required to disclose their fraud losses.

This summer, the Spokane County Sheriff's office charged more than 30 people connected to an ID theft ring that wrote at least $25,000 in bad checks.

Consumer groups say the federal study should have gotten their information from other sources.