But the average cost for a consumer to resolve the problem rose to $691 in 2007 from $554 a year earlier.

The reason, the report said, is "due to growing sophistication in criminal fraud techniques, particularly in new accounts fraud," resulting in more high-value cases.

The biggest sources of personal identification information for thieves included: 33 percent from the loss or theft of a wallet, check or credit card; 23 percent from in-store, mail or telephone purchases; 17 percent from misappropriation of information by friends, relatives or in-home employees; 8 percent from computer viruses, spyware or hackers; 7 percent from data breaches; and 6 percent from stolen paper mail.

Ironically, the increase in phone fraud may be the result of better phone technology. So-called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has made it possible for criminals halfway around the globe to make inexpensive calls to the U.S. — and mask where they've originating, Van Dyke said.

Also ironically, fraudsters often take the information they steal from individuals and use it to open wireless phone accounts, he added.

"Phone accounts are the No. 1 new account being opened," Van Dyke said.