How secure is your digital identity?
Out of 5.1 million financial theft reports FTC received in 2022, 1.1 million were identity theft claims.
Are you taking proactive measures to protect your identity?
45% of people who were educated about identity theft preventive measures used stronger passwords.
While 40% of people updated security.
Ready to safeguard your identity in the digital age?
Learn about identity fraud trends, data breaches, and identity protection services.
Top Identity Theft Statistics: Editor’s Pick
- 1 in 3 Americans experienced identity theft in 2022. [1]
- Out of 12,911 US victims, 8% suffered two identity theft incidents. [2]
- After bank fraud and loan fraud, credit card fraud was the #1 form of identity theft in 2022. [1]
- People aged between 30 to 39 years are the most common targets of identity theft. [3]
- While the least common victims (9,917) are people aged over 80, which is quite obvious. [3]
- According to FTC reports, Georgia was the #1 state for fraud and identity theft reports in 2022. [1]
- Georgia recorded 60,348 theft reports, 162,957 fraud reports, and $158.4 million total fraud losses. [1]
- The overall cost lost in the US from credit card theft reached $219 million in 2022. [1]
- As of January 2023, 30% of global adults encountered a phishing scam. [8]
General Identity Theft Statistics
Wondering how common is identity theft?
Out of 5.1 million financial theft reports FTC received in 2022, 1.1 million were identity theft claims. [1]
It is concerning to note that 1 in 3 Americans experienced identity theft in 2022. [1]
33% of Americans reported to have faced some form of identity theft at some point in their lives. [3]
Out of 12,911 US victims, 8% suffered two identity theft incidents. [2]
After bank fraud and loan fraud, credit card fraud was the #1 form of identity theft in 2022. [1]
Identity theft and personal data breaches together make over 100,000 cases per year. [4]
If we look at US cybercrime data with the number of victims, here are the top results.
| Rank | Cybercrime | US Victims (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phishing/Vishing/Smishing | 323,972 |
| 2 | Non-Payment/Non-Delivery | 82,478 |
| 3 | Personal Data Breach | 51,829 |
| 4 | Identity Theft | 51,629 |
| 5 | Extortion | 39,360 |
| 6 | Confidence/Romance Fraud | 24,299 |
| 7 | Tech Support | 23,903 |
| 8 | Investment | 20,561 |
- Phishing/vishing/smishing are the most common cyber crimes with about 323, 972 victims in 2021. [4]
- Non-payment/non-delivery had about 82,478 victims.
- Identity theft ranked 4th with 51, 829 victims.
Identity Theft Statistics By Demographics
Who is an average identity theft victim?
People aged between 30 to 39 years are the most common targets of identity theft. [3]
While the least common victims (9,917) are people aged over 80, which is quite obvious. [3]
22, 833 consumers aged 19 or below are victims of identity theft. [3]
Gen Xs and Baby Boomers were the most likely to report incidents of identity theft (both at 81%), compared to Gen Zs and Millennials, who reported 59% and 69% of cases, respectively. [5]
Identity Theft Statistics By US States
Where you live, highly affects your chances of getting victimized for identity theft.
According to FTC reports, Georgia was the #1 state for fraud and identity theft reports in 2022. [1]
Georgia recorded 60,348 theft reports, 162,957 fraud reports, and $158.4 million total fraud losses. [1]
Here is the list of identity theft case reports in various states of America in 2023.
| State | Reports per 100K people | Total number of reports |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 384 | 13,848 |
| Massachusetts | 351 | 24,540 |
| Iowa | 141 | 4,468 |
| Nebraska | 137 | 2,673 |
| Maine | 126 | 1,714 |
| Wyoming | 106 | 609 |
| Minnesota | 142 | 8,063 |
| Vermont | 97 | 620 |
| Alaska | 114 | 839 |
| Michigan | 235 | 23,621 |
| North Dakota | 118 | 913 |
| Washington | 165 | 12,582 |
| Nevada | 404 | 12,362 |
| New Hampshire | 138 | 1,892 |
| Idaho | 123 | 2,223 |
| Kentucky | 119 | 5,340 |
| Oklahoma | 153 | 6,032 |
| Wisconsin | 141 | 8,301 |
| Arizona | 262 | 18,539 |
| Arkansas | 169 | 5,071 |
| Rhode Island | 216 | 2,357 |
| Hawaii | 122 | 1,773 |
| Utah | 165 | 5,345 |
| California | 304 | 119,929 |
| Indiana | 176 | 11,870 |
| Illinois | 307 | 39,314 |
| New Jersey | 283 | 26,136 |
| Texas | 350 | 101,002 |
| New Mexico | 134 | 2,825 |
| Maryland | 298 | 18,327 |
| Virginia | 224 | 19,211 |
| Pennsylvania | 314 | 40,778 |
| New York | 256 | 51,484 |
| Florida | 438 | 93,547 |
| South Carolina | 294 | 14,931 |
| Missouri | 161 | 9,873 |
| Georgia | 457 | 48,606 |
| North Carolina | 243 | 25,142 |
| Tennessee | 185 | 12,709 |
| Kansas | 150 | 4,405 |
| Delaware | 359 | 3,523 |
| West Virginia | 110 | 1,977 |
| Alabama | 245 | 12,228 |
| Mississippi | 225 | 6,663 |
| Louisiana | 275 | 12,816 |
Cost of Identity Theft
About $4 billion is lost to cybercrime every year in the US. [4]
How much of it belongs to identity theft alone?
- The overall cost lost in the US from credit card theft reached $219 million in 2022. [1]
- Identity theft cost $56 billion in 2020. [6]
- The total cost of identity theft reduced from $278 million in 2021 to $189 million in 2022. [4]
- Criminals have stolen more than $750 million from taxpayers through Covid stimulus scams since January 2020. [7]
Global Identity Theft Scenario
It is shocking to note that in a global poll conducted in 2023, 75% of Japanese and New Zealand adults reported that they don’t know how to react to identity theft. [8]
Adults from Australia and France (74%) and Japan and New Zealand (81%) reported that they were not aware of identity theft checks. [8]
As of 2023, 8.6 million UK citizens have used false/ stolen identity. [9]
Identity theft crimes have reported to be increasing in Europe with 682k cases in 2020.
How To Prevent Identity Theft?
In a survey conducted in 2022, people who were educated about identity theft prevention took the following measures. [10]
- 45% of people used stronger passwords
- 40% updated security
- 58% worked better in spotting phishing messages
In the 2021 global survey of identity theft preventive measures, here is how respondents tackle the issue.
| Preventative Measure | Share of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Used online parental controls | 33% |
| Changed default privacy settings on the device | 29% |
| I have not done anything | 29% |
| Used and identity theft protection service (US only) | 27% |
| Disabled third-party cookies in a browser | 26% |
| Enabled multi-factor authentication | 26% |
| Used something other than the full name for social media | 22% |
| Used an encrypted email service or messaging app | 18% |
| Disabled microphone access on my device | 18% |
| Used a VPN to encrypt information | 16% |
| Deleted a social media account | 16% |
| Used anonymous payment methods | 15% |
| Used privacy monitoring service (US only) | 14% |
| Asked a company what personal information they have about me on their personal records | 8% |
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FAQs
Who is most vulnerable to identity theft?
People aged between 30 to 39 years are the most common targets of identity theft, while those aged over 80 are the least common victims.
Which states have the highest rates of identity theft?
Georgia ranked #1 for fraud and identity theft reports in 2022, followed by Florida, California, and Texas. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Nevada are among the states with the highest number of identity theft reports per 100,000 people.
What is the financial impact of identity theft?
The overall cost of identity theft reduced from $278 million in 2021 to $189 million in 2022. Criminals have stolen more than $750 million from taxpayers through Covid stimulus scams since January 2020.
How can identity theft be prevented?
Common preventive measures include using stronger passwords, updating security, and being vigilant against phishing messages. Other preventive actions include enabling multi-factor authentication, using encrypted communication services, and utilizing identity theft protection services.
Conclusion
Identity theft remains a pervasive threat in today’s digital age, with millions of individuals falling victim to various forms of fraud each year. The financial and emotional toll of identity theft is substantial, making it imperative for individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their personal information.
By implementing robust security measures, staying informed about emerging threats, and utilizing identity theft protection services, individuals can mitigate the risk of falling victim to identity theft and safeguard their financial well-being and personal security.
Source
- FTC. Consumer sentinel network report
- ITRC. Trends in Identity Report
- Identity Theft.org. 2024 Identity Theft Facts and Statistics
- FBI. Internet crime report 2021
- National Cybersecurity Alliance. The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report
- Javelin. Cyberbullying Pose Growing Cyber Risks for Children and Families
- Federal Trade Commission. COVID-19 and Stimulus Reports
- Statista. Attitudes toward identity theft among adults in selected countries worldwide as of January 2023
- GBG. Over eight million people in the UK using dishonest identities
- Cybsafe. The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report 2022
- NortonLifeLock. Global report.pdf
Manisha is a digital writer providing guidance in career development and growth. She facilitates skill development and implementation of the right strategies for advancement. At Jobera, She documents content around the latest market trend analysis, insights, and career planning.