How common is identity theft? Identity theft statistics

How common is identity theft in different regions?

Identity theft happens all over the world, but some regions experience higher rates of identity fraud than others. Factors like economic conditions, local regulations, and the types of documents fraudsters target all play a role. Research from Entrust Corporation helps explain these differences and shows where identity theft is more common [3].

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has an average fraud rate of 6.8%, the highest in the world. Fraud rates represent the percentage of fraudulent transactions or incidents compared to the total number of transactions handled by businesses or systems in the region. For example, a fraud rate of 6.8% means that approximately 6.8 out of every 100 transactions or activities are flagged as fraudulent.

Many identity thieves in this region target documents like the Indian tax ID and Pakistani national ID card because they are easy to forge. Some of these documents are old paper versions or have widely available online templates, which makes them ideal tools for fraud.

The Americas are close behind, with an average identity fraud rate of 6.2%. This region saw the biggest increase in fraud cases in 2024. As more people use digital services, fraudsters take advantage of weak security measures, making the Americas a growing target for identity theft.

In contrast, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) have lower identity fraud rates. Europe, in particular, benefits from strict rules on identity verification, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, and strong protections for cryptocurrencies. Government-issued documents in this region are also more secure compared to less technologically advanced documents used in other parts of the world.

Statistics on the growth of identity theft cases

In 2001, reported cases of identity theft totaled 86,250, but by 2024, that figure soared to over 1.1 million, representing an increase of more than 1,200%. This explosive growth shows how fast identity theft has evolved as the world turned more digital.

While we’ve seen some fluctuations in the numbers in recent years, identity theft continues to be a problem.

Most common types of identity theft

Customer Sentinel Network revealed several major types of identity theft in 2024, with increases and decreases in cases measured against the previous year.

1. Credit card fraud. In 2024, credit card fraud was the leading category among all types of identity theft, accounting for 449,032 reports. That’s 40% of all complaints. Fraudsters used stolen information to open new credit card accounts or gain access to existing ones. New account fraud increased by 7%, while misuse of existing accounts rose by 17%.
2. Other identity theft. The second-largest category of identity theft in 2024 accounted for 358,993 reports. This category includes a wide range of fraud, such as creating fake online shopping accounts, impersonating victims on social media, and using stolen personal details for online scams.
3. Lease and loan fraud. In 2024, lease and loan fraud affected 176,400 victims. Fraudsters used stolen information to submit fraudulent applications, with auto loan fraud increasing by 16%, housing rental fraud rising by 35%, and personal loans being another common target.
4. Bank account fraud. Fraudsters targeted bank accounts in 114,608 cases, either by accessing victims’ existing financial accounts or creating unauthorized new ones.
5. Employment or tax fraud. In 2024, the FTC received 87,470 cases of employment and tax fraud. Fraudsters used stolen identities to secure jobs, commit payroll fraud, or file fraudulent tax returns. Reports of employment identity theft increased by 20%, while tax identity theft declined by 10%.
6. Government benefits fraud. Despite a 36% decline, government benefits fraud still accounted for 70,332 cases in 2024. Fraudsters targeted unemployment programs, Medicare, and other social assistance programs to file false claims and receive benefits they were not entitled to.
7. Phone and utilities fraud. In 2024, fraudsters exploited stolen personal details in 82,626 cases to create fake accounts for mobile phones, landlines, or utilities like electricity and water. They also illegally accessed existing accounts to use services without permission.

The most common types of identity theft in 2024. Credit card fraud is in the lead at 40% of all cases, followed by other types of ID fraud at 33%, loan and lease fraud at 16%, bank account fraud at 10%, employment/tax fraud at 8%, and government benefits fraud at 6%.

Which demographics are most commonly targeted?

In 2024, young adults aged 20-39 submitted the largest number of identity theft cases. Those aged 30-39 reported the most incidents, with 291,807 cases, followed by the 20-29 age group, which reported 187,195 cases. Fraudsters tend to target young adults more often because they spend a lot of time on online platforms and are more likely to rely on digital services.

Although older adults report fewer cases overall, this demographic is still at significant risk. For example, individuals aged 50-59 reported 135,758 cases in 2024, while those aged 60 and up reported a combined total of 129,880 cases.

While the total number of incidents is lower compared to younger groups, older victims of identity theft often experience greater financial losses per incident [5]. Across all these age groups, credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft.

However, young people under 19 aren’t immune either. In 2024, they reported 21,420 cases of identity theft — most of these involved tax or employment fraud.

Identity theft victims by age group in 2024.

Most common causes of identity theft

Identity theft happens for many reasons. The most common causes include data breaches, phishing, weak password practices, online fraud, and insider threats. These factors can expose personal data, which criminals can then exploit to commit various forms of identity theft.

Survey results from the general public and individuals who sought help from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) provide a clearer picture of how these factors contribute to identity theft [4].

1. Data breaches

Data breaches are the leading cause of identity theft. In 2024, 81% of participants surveyed from the general population and 79% of victims who sought help from the ITRC said they received at least one data breach notification. Among them, 43% reported multiple breach notifications (2-5), a sharp rise from 29% in 2023.

Many victims experience repeated targeting — 49% of individuals from the general population who experienced identity theft in 2024 were repeat victims. Despite this alarming trend, some people fall victim to "breach fatigue," a sense of helplessness and exhaustion from the constant stream of data breach notifications. As a result, they may ignore these alerts, putting themselves at further risk.

2. Phishing

Phishing scams remain one of the easiest and most harmful ways criminals steal identities. Fraudsters use different types of phishing, including fake emails, texts, or calls, to impersonate trusted companies or organizations and convince victims to share personal data. 

Among the participants surveyed by the ITRC, 10% of the general population and 12% of victims who sought help from the organization identified themselves as victims of a phishing scam.

3. Online fraud

The rise of mobile platforms, social networks, and e-commerce has made internet fraud one of the fastest-growing causes of identity theft. In 2024, the FTC received 22,258 cases of email and social media fraud, a 14% increase from the previous year.

Among the participants surveyed by the ITRC, 29% of the general population and 7% of victims who sought help from the organization indicated unauthorized access to their social media accounts as the specific form of identity theft they experienced.

4. Password reuse and poor cyber hygiene

Only 41% of respondents from the general population survey said they avoided reusing passwords across accounts, leaving the majority of respondents at risk for credential-stuffing attacks, where stolen passwords are tested across multiple platforms.

Even tools like password managers, which help secure accounts, remain underused — only 43% of participants from the general public and 27% of individuals who sought help from the ITRC reported using one.

Adding to this risk, 17% of survey respondents from the general public and 10% of people who asked the ITRC for help admitted to clicking on malicious links.

5. Hackers, insider threats, and third-party vendor vulnerabilities

Hackers, dishonest employees, and third-party system weaknesses often exploit small businesses, making them easy targets for fraud. In 2024, 51% of business breaches were linked to malicious insiders, such as employees or contractors misusing their access to sensitive data.

External threat actors, such as hackers, caused another 50% of breaches. Additionally, 38% of breaches were caused by compromised third-party vendors, which exposed customer information.

The most common causes of identity theft in 2024. These include data breaches, phishing, online fraud, weak password practices, hackers, insider threats, and third-party vendor vulnerabilities.

Consequences of identity theft

The consequences of identity theft extend far beyond financial loss, often causing emotional distress, behavioral changes, and lengthy recovery processes for victims. Survey results from the ITRC reveal clear patterns of how identity theft impacts and disrupts victims' lives.

1. An emotional and psychological toll

Identity theft takes an emotional toll on victims. In 2024, 95% of people who sought help from the ITRC and 87% of individuals surveyed from the general public (who may or may not have been victims of an identity crime and who had not contacted the ITRC for help) reported experiencing emotional consequences, including anxiety, frustration, and loss of trust in others.

Among victims who sought help with recovery from identity theft, 60% reported struggling to trust others. Among the general population, 21% reported experiencing similar feelings.

The percentage of identity theft victims seeking recovery help who reported thinking about suicide decreased from 16% in 2023 to 12% in 2024 — a significant improvement following years of increasing rates since 2019. However, these numbers are still higher than the historical average of 2-4% in 1999-2020.

Important: Identity theft can take a deep emotional toll, but you don’t have to face the burden alone. If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed or struggles with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please know that help is always within reach.

Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Alternatively, you can reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting “home,” “start,” or “hola” to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer crisis counselor. These resources are here to support you through this difficult time.

2. Strained relationships

Identity theft doesn’t only affect individuals — it often puts strain on their relationships with other people. The financial and emotional burden of resolving fraud can lead to stress, frustration, and tension in relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers.

Victims may feel isolated or unsupported, which can add to their emotional struggle. During a prolonged recovery process, this stress can affect daily interactions with others, which can further lead to increased feelings of vulnerability and frustration.

Among those who sought help from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), 29% reported that identity theft strained their relationships with family. Similarly, 33% of the general public said they argued more with family. Identity theft also impacted friendships, with 31% of general consumers and 17% of those who got in touch with the ITRC for help saying they got into more arguments with friends.

Trust was another major issue — 18% of general consumers and 26% of those who sought help from the ITRC said they struggled to trust their family, while 16% and 30%, respectively, felt they could no longer trust their friends.

3. A shift in personal security habits

Identity theft often prompts victims to reevaluate and improve their personal security practices, especially those who seek expert help. In 2024, victims who contacted the ITRC took steps to strengthen their digital security. More than half, 58%, of them started using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure their accounts.

Victims also adjusted their online behaviors. Sixty percent of ITRC-supported individuals actively avoided clicking on suspicious links in emails or texts, compared to 52% of the general population who said they did the same.

Their social media habits also changed, with 57% of ITRC-supported victims reducing their online activity to protect their privacy. In comparison, 47% of the general public reported doing the same.

Despite these security improvements, many victims still hesitated to invest in tools like identity and credit monitoring. Only 22% of victims who sought expert help used these services, and only 41% of the general population adopted them.

This hesitancy may stem from various reasons, such as the cost of paid services, lack of understanding of how they work, or limited access to resources. These numbers highlight the importance of raising awareness and providing accessible solutions to help people protect their personal information.

4. A financial burden and challenges in recovery

Identity theft often leaves victims dealing with long-term financial stress and practical hurdles. Among those who sought help, 36% reported being contacted by debt collectors for accounts fraudulently opened in their name. Nearly 48% of these individuals still had unresolved identity theft cases at the time of the survey, with recovery often taking months or longer.

Victims frequently faced challenges such as catching up on bills, resolving fraudulent accounts, and proving their identity. For instance, 30% of those who sought help reported difficulties verifying their identity after an incident.

5. Increased business costs

In the ongoing fight against identity theft and fraud, small and medium-sized businesses have greatly increased their investments in prevention and security measures.

In 2024, nearly 88% of surveyed small businesses provided fraud prevention training to their staff, while 67% strengthened security measures, such as introducing better access controls. Additionally, 65% adopted new security tools to address vulnerabilities and reduce the risks associated with identity theft.

6. Reputational damage

Identity theft can harm the reputations of both individuals and businesses. For individuals, it can create mistrust with employers, landlords, or financial institutions, especially if the stolen information is misused for actions like submitting fraudulent applications or accumulating unpaid debts.

Among people who got help from the ITRC, 9% said their relationship with their boss became tense. In comparison, 31% of the general public said they experienced similar problems with their employers.

The impact can be even more severe for businesses. A single data breach can erode years of trust built with customers, leading to lost loyalty, challenges in acquiring new clients, and reputational harm in the marketplace.

Survey data shows the impact of cyber incidents that result in identity theft: 48% of businesses lost customer trust, 46% saw a decrease in revenue, and 42% experienced employees leaving their jobs.

How often, and to whom, do people report instances of identity theft?

Reporting identity theft is a critical step in recovering from the crime, and thankfully, most victims who have had their identity stolen take this important step. Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) of general consumers reported their cases, often starting with key organizations.

• Many identity theft victims (48%) first turned to banks or financial institutions for help.
• Local police handled identity theft reports from 32% of victims.
• State or federal law enforcement, like the FBI or Secret Service, managed 29% of cases.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received complaints from 28% of individuals.

Victims who sought help from the ITRC often reported their cases to more than just one institution.

• Banks or financial institutions assisted 76% of victims.
• Victims contacted local police in 63% of cases.
• The FTC handled cases for 60% of victims.
• Credit bureaus received reports from 65% of victims.

However, not everyone takes action. Among general consumers, 12% didn’t reach out to any organization for help after realizing their personal information had been stolen or misused. Among those who didn’t seek help, 23% said they didn’t know who to contact, and 8% said they didn’t trust anyone to help.

This gap in reporting shows a lack of awareness and trust in available resources. Many victims feel overwhelmed, unsure of where to get help, or doubtful that support organizations can make a difference.

How long does it take to recover from identity theft?

Identity theft recovery can be a long and stressful process, and for some, the road to resolution seems almost never ending. Data from the ITRC shows just how varied recovery timelines can be.

For most individuals surveyed from the general population, the recovery process was relatively quick. Nearly half (48%) resolved their case within one week, while 21% needed between one week and one month to address the issue. However, not everyone had the same experience — 14% of these victims said their case remained unresolved at the time of the survey.

For those who sought help from the ITRC, the timeline was much longer. Only 12% of victims resolved their case within a week, and another 12% recovered within one to three months. Some cases required even more time, with 10% saying it took six months to a year to resolve all issues. Nearly 48% of these victims said their case was still ongoing.

Identity theft trends: What to expect in the years ahead

Criminals are always finding new ways to commit identity theft by taking advantage of technology and security gaps. Staying aware of these trends can help you recognize the risks and prepare for them if the worst happens.

1. Synthetic identity fraud will grow. This type of identity theft, in which criminals create fake identities by combining real and fake personal information, is a growing and highly damaging threat. In the first half of 2024, lenders reported $3.2 billion in losses caused by synthetic identity theft, with auto loans alone accounting for $2 billion [6].
2. Digital forgery is on the rise. Fraudsters are shifting from physical document counterfeits to digital forgeries, which now make up around 57% of document fraud — a 244% increase from the previous year, when digital forgeries accounted for almost 17% [3]. Tools like AI-assisted software have made it easier and cheaper to create digital forgeries, making this shift to digital document fraud a major area of concern.
3. Fraud as a service grows. The rise of fraud marketplaces, which sell stolen credentials and document templates, has fueled the rapid scaling of identity-related crimes. Platforms offering fraud as a service provide criminals with tools and methods to exploit stolen data more effectively. Joint research by NordVPN and Saily on stolen travel documents sold on the dark web found that scanned global passports sell for as little as $10 and up to $200, while verified EU passports can fetch over $5,000 [7].
4. E-commerce and online fraud expand. As digital commerce and mobile usage grow, fraud on these platforms is becoming more common. Online platforms are now prime targets for identity theft, with fraudsters taking advantage of security gaps to steal personal information and financial data. In 2024, reports of email and social media fraud rose by 14%, mobile account fraud increased by 5%, and online shopping fraud grew by 9% [2].

Key identity theft statistics and facts

Below are the key statistics and facts about identity theft featured in this article for easy reference:

1. Identity theft cases are soaring. In 2024, the FTC handled 1,135,291 cases, up from 1,036,855 cases in 2023. In 2001, people reported only 86,250 cases, which represents a 1,200% increase over two decades [2].
2. Credit card fraud is the #1 type of identity theft. It accounted for 449,032 cases — 40% of all identity fraud cases, the highest percentage of any category [2].
3. Fake accounts and social media fraud are widespread. In 2024, fraud involving fake online accounts and social media claimed 359,008 cases, which makes it the second-most common type of identity theft [2].
4. Younger adults are the most targeted group. Adults aged 30-39 reported 291,807 cases in 2024, more than any other age group. Adults aged 20-29 were the next most targeted, followed by older adults aged 50 and up, who reported the fewest cases. However, while targeted less, older victims often experience greater financial loss per incident [4], [5].
5. Data breaches are the top cause. A majority of victims cited data compromises as the leading cause of identity theft in 2024. Other significant causes are phishing attacks, weak passwords, online fraud, hackers, malicious insiders, and compromised third-party vendors [4].
6. The emotional toll is severe. As much as 95% of victims seeking professional help reported emotional effects like anxiety, frustration, and loss of trust. The general public faced similarly high levels of stress, with 87% reporting similar effects [4].
7. Victims change their behavior after identity theft. Fifty-eight percent started using multi-factor authentication (MFA), 60% stopped clicking suspicious links, and 57% limited their social media activity [4].
8. Debt collector harassment is common. Debt collectors contacted 36% of victims seeking professional help about fraudulent accounts opened in their names [4].
9. Resolution remains difficult. Among victims seeking support, 48% had unresolved cases, with some dragging on for months or longer. More than 30% of all victims struggled to prove their stolen identity [4].
10. Fraud rates are highest in Asia. Businesses in the Asia-Pacific region experienced an average fraud rate of 6.8% in 2024, the highest globally. The Americas saw a 6.2% fraud rate, with the biggest rise in cases due to growing digital adoption and lingering security vulnerabilities. Fraud was lowest in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), at 3.4% [3].
11. Businesses are fighting back. In 2024, 88% of businesses provided fraud prevention training, while 67% enhanced security protocols and 65% invested in tools like enhanced encryption and threat detection systems [4].
12. People underuse preventative tools. Only 22% of professional support-seeking victims and 41% of the general public use credit or identity monitoring tools [4].
13. Reporting plays a key role in recovery, but gaps exist. While the majority of victims report their cases to banks or law enforcement, too few take advantage of specialized support systems like the ITRC. With only 21% of the general public contacting the ITRC, many victims may miss out on resources that could simplify and accelerate their recovery [4].
14. Repeat victimization remains a concern for many. While repeat victimization has notably decreased within the general public (20% drop in 2024), nearly half (45%) of identity theft victims who sought help had experienced identity fraud multiple times [4].
15. Barriers to reporting hurt prevention and recovery. Among those who didn’t report their cases, 23% didn’t know where to report it, and 8% didn’t trust any organization to provide effective help [4].
16. Recovery is often slow and frustrating. While nearly half, 48%, of general victims resolved their cases within a week, 10% of victims assisted by the ITRC needed 6-12 months to recover [4].
17. Identity theft causes lasting harm. Victims endure financial stress, strained personal relationships, and emotional distress. Among general consumers, 48% sought emotional support for issues related to identity theft, while 52% did not. Businesses also face revenue loss, declining trust, and the high costs of improving security measures [4].
18. Criminals are leveraging technology to scale identity theft. By early 2024, synthetic identity theft caused $3.2 billion in losses, while digital forgeries surged by 244% from the previous year. Digital forgeries now make up 57% of all document fraud [3], [6]. Fraud-as-a-service platforms and e-commerce scams are driving a significant increase in online identity crimes [2].

So is identity theft on the rise?

Identity theft is on the rise. Criminals are continually adapting and exploiting technology, data breaches, and weak points in security systems, which makes both individuals and businesses increasingly vulnerable to fraud.

Keeping track of every account, credit report, and transaction can be overwhelming. An identity theft protection service like NordProtect does the heavy lifting by monitoring your personal information and alerting you to suspicious activity. Don’t wait until you become another case study — take control of your safety today.

References

[1] Šlekytė, I. "NordVPN research reveals: One in three people fall victim to online scams," NordVPN, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.nordvpn.com/blog/scam-experience-research/ 

[2] Federal Trade Commission, "Consumer Sentinel Network: Data Book 2024," FTC, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/csn-annual-data-book-2024.pdf

[3] Entrust Corporation, "2025 Identity Fraud Report," Entrust, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.entrust.com/sites/default/files/documentation/reports/2025-identity-fraud-report.pdf

[4] Identity Theft Resource Center, “The 2024 Consumer Impact — Business Impact Report,” ITRC, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ITRC2024ConsumerandBusinessImpactReport.pdf

[5] Federal Trade Commission, "Percentage Reporting a Fraud Loss and Median Loss by Age," Tableau Public. [Online]. Available: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/FraudReports/AgeFraudLosses 

[6] TransUnion, "State of Omnichannel Fraud in H1 2024," Chicago, IL, USA, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.transunion.com/content/dam/transunion/us/business/collateral/report/GFS-24-2917612-TruVa-H22024UpdateStateofOmnichannelFraud-RPR-US-EN_US.pdf

[7] Lyskoit, V. “Inside the marketplace for stolen travel documents: A NordVPN and Saily project,” NordVPN, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://nordvpn.com/blog/stolen-travel-documents-research/