---
title: "How Many Americans Are Victims Of Identity Theft Each Year?"
canonical: "https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-many-americans-are-victims-of-identity-theft-each-year/"
description: "Imagine if your personal information was stolen and used without your consent or knowledge."
silo: "business"
published: "2026-05-31"
updated: "2026-05-31"
author: "sa-el"
source: "Simply Insurance"
---
Imagine if your personal information was stolen and used without your consent or knowledge. **Unfortunately, this is a reality for roughly 9 million Americans each year.** We’ll look at the statistics behind the **4.7 million identity theft and fraud victims in the United States** in this blog post, as well as what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

## **Top Identity Theft Statistics:**

- Every year, some **9 million Americans are victims of Identity theft and fraud.**

- In 2024, **there were 4.7 million identity theft and credit card incidents in America**

- **2.2 million Americans filed fraud reports in 2024** of which 34% lost money.

- **1.4 million people in the United States** had their identities stolen In 2024.

- In 2021, consumers lost more than **$56 billion to identity theft and fraud**.

- **Worldwide, identity theft losses** totaled around $9.5 Trillion in **2024**.

- The worldwide cost of **repairing identity theft and fraud is $1.7 billion.**

- Millennials are responsible for **44% of all identity-related fraud reports** in the United States.

- Around **1.3 million children have their identities stolen** from fraudsters.

- With **1.4 million instances, account takeovers** are one of the most popular forms of identity theft.

## **Identity Theft Statistics In America**

### How Many Americans Are Victims Of Identity Theft Each Year?

Every year, **some 9 million Americans become victims of identity theft or fraud**, despite the fact that only an average of 1.8 million incidents of fraud and id theft were reported each year during the years 2000 to 2020. That implies that millions of instances of id theft and fraud go undetected every year.

### How Many Americans Had Their Identities Stolen In 2020

In 2020, there were **4.7 million identity theft and credit card incidents in the United States**, resulting in a $4.5 billion total loss. The numbers breakdown to Americans reporting about 1.4 million identity theft reports, 2.2 million fraud reports, and 1.2 million other reports.

**Key Statistics:**

- In the first **6 months of 2020, the ITRC traced around 540 breaches** that affected almost 164 million people.

- In the first half of **2020, external threats accumulated to 404**– slightly lower than in 2019’s, recording 588 cases.

### Fraud And Identity Theft Reports By Year:

Year | Number Of Reports
--- | ---
2020 | 4,720,743
2019 | 3,244,844
2018 | 3,115,556
2017 | 2,918,18
2016 | 3,060,824
2015 | 3,080,378
2014 | 2,620,931
2013 | 2,134,565
2012 | 2,115,079
2011 | 1,898,543
2010 | 1,470,306
2009 | 1,428,97
2008 | 1,261,124
2007 | 1,070,447
2006 | 906,129
2005 | 909,314
2004 | 860,383
2003 | 713,657
2002 | 551,622
2001 | 325,519

**2022:** 5.1 million  Reports **2023:** 1,037,000 identity theft reports, which was a 6.3% decrease from 2022. However, the

## Most Common Identity Theft & Fraud Complaints

### What Is The Most Prevalent Form Of Identity Theft Today?

Account takeovers are one of the most prevalent forms of identity theft, with 1.4 million occurrences each year. An account takeover is when Identity thieves seize control of a person’s identity and assume the persona of the individual without their permission. This is frequently linked to internet crimes, hacking, email spoofing, and [Compare Small Business Insurance Quotes Online](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/compare-small-business-insurance-quotes-online/) mobile phone porting.

The most common complaints are organized by type below:

**Identity theft-based tax fraud and employment**

**Employment Fraud** – This is the most frequent ID fraud complaint in this category. This technique is used by criminals to gain unauthorized access to your Social Security number and other forms of data in order to work for a specific company. Because its major goal is employment rather than money theft, it’s considerably less dangerous than other forms of identity fraud.

**Tax Fraud** – According to the FTC, 36% of identity theft and fraud complaints are unique to the Tax fraud category and are also more dangerous since crooks may utilize other people’s personal information to submit tax forms in order to gain an advantage.

**Credit Card Fraud**–Credit card fraud is the second most frequent type of identity theft and fraud in the United States, with roughly 33% of all such complaints. In the instance of credit card fraud, criminals may use other people’s personal information to get a card that doesn’t belong to them or establish a new one entirely.

**Utilities And Phone Line Fraud** – Another frequently mentioned ID theft problem is utilizing someone else’s personal information to open utility and telecom accounts. Up to 13% of ID fraud incidents are related to this kind of complaint. By doing so, the scammer obtains free public utilities and memberships since the fraudulent invoices will be sent to the owner of the personal data used illegally.

**Bank Fraud** – Some 12% of identity theft complaints involve bank fraud. Bank fraud is also a widespread problem. In this case, the offender uses another person’s personal information to create new bank accounts and credit lines, as well as to take control of a person’s account entirely.

**Leasing And Lending Frauds** – Leasing and lending fraud is another fairly common identity theft-related complaint with 7% of ID theft complaints being linked to this category. The criminal benefit is that they won’t have to repay the debt or interest on it. Instead, the victim will be contacted for debt repayment.

**Obtaining Government Benefits Through Identity Theft** – Many criminals employ identity theft to obtain a variety of government benefits. The content of these perks is determined by what the criminal is searching for. Roughly 7% of complaints are about this method, which is considerably less frequent than employment and tax fraud.

## Annual Cost Of Identity Theft And Fraud

### How Much Money Do American Consumers Lose To Identity Theft & Fraud?

In 2021, **Americans lost more than $56 billion to [identity theft](https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-many-electric-vehicles-in-the-us/)** and fraud.

### What Is The Worldwide Total Loss For Identity Theft?

Identity theft has resulted in a worldwide **loss of approximately $721.3 billion in 2021**.

### What Is The Global Cost To Repair Identity Theft And Fraud?

The worldwide cost of dealing with **identity theft and fraud is $1.7 billion**.

## ID Theft and Fraud By State (2022)

### **Fraud And Other Reports By State**

Last year, **California residents submitted more fraud reports than any other state with a total of 300,781 reports filed**. Followed by Texas (253,320), Florida (227,391), New York (182,177), and Pennsylvania (125,518). The **state with the lowest number of fraud reports last year was Wyoming** with only 3,288 reports, followed by North Dakota (3,744), South Dakota (3,829), Vermont (4,349), and Montana (6,706).

State | Number Of Reports
--- | ---
Alabama | 48,557
Alaska | 7,002
Arizona | 61,532
Arkansas | 18,706
California | 300,781
Colorado | 55,173
Connecticut | 25,587
DC | 9,428
Delaware | 11,279
Florida | 227,391
Georgia | 112,429
Hawaii | 9,670
Idaho | 11,438
Illinois | 114,917
Indiana | 45,860
Iowa | 16,018
Kansas | 20,323
Kentucky | 31,230
Louisiana | 43,474
Maine | 9,192
Maryland | 70,763
Massachusetts | 54,271
Michigan | 68,090
Minnesota | 36,722
Mississippi | 20,999
Missouri | 46,092
Montana | 6,706
Nebraska | 10,495
Nevada | 34,840
New Hampshire | 9,930
New Jersey | 79,043
New Mexico | 15,289
New York | 182,177
North Carolina | 82,455
North Dakota | 3,744
Ohio | 97,769
Oklahoma | 24,575
Oregon | 32,778
Pennsylvania | 125,518
Rhode Island | 19,831
South Carolina | 42,820
South Dakota | 3,829
Tennessee | 62,428
Texas | 253,320
Utah | 20,840
Vermont | 4,349
Virginia | 72,678
Washington | 60,031
West Virginia | 11,356
Wisconsin | 36,653
Wyoming | 3,288

### **Identity Theft Reports By State**

Last year, **Texas residents submitted more identity theft reports than any other state** with a total of 106,632 reports filed. Followed by California (101,198), Illinois (100,538), Florida (82,907), and New York (75,323). The s **tate with the lowest number of identity theft reports last year was Wyoming** with only 455 reports, followed by South Dakota (494), Vermont (523), Alaska (641), and North Dakota (753).

State | Number Of Reports
--- | ---
Alabama | 14,095
Alaska | 641
Arizona | 22,535
Arkansas | 4,968
California | 101,198
Colorado | 25,556
Connecticut | 4,710
DC | 2,171
Delaware | 3,222
Florida | 82,907
Georgia | 50,441
Hawaii | 2,231
Idaho | 2,021
Illinois | 100,538
Indiana | 8,702
Iowa | 2,521
Kansas | 37,836
Kentucky | 5,519
Louisiana | 25,494
Maine | 1,522
Maryland | 19,763
Massachusetts | 11,939
Michigan | 15,427
Minnesota | 6,607
Mississippi | 7,711
Missouri | 10,165
Montana | 823
Nebraska | 1,612
Nevada | 13,190
New Hampshire | 1,635
New Jersey | 21,036
New Mexico | 2,831
New York | 75,323
North Carolina | 22,392
North Dakota | 753
Ohio | 33,925
Oklahoma | 5,152
Oregon | 5,573
Pennsylvania | 35,450
Rhode Island | 18,620
South Carolina | 13,689
South Dakota | 494
Tennessee | 15,625
Texas | 106,632
Utah | 4,464
Vermont | 523
Virginia | 13,558
Washington | 9,666
West Virginia | 2,026
Wisconsin | 8,289
Wyoming | 455

## Identity Theft Statistics By Age & Lifestyle:

### **Which Age Group Is Responsible For The Most Identity-Related Fraud Reports?**

Millennials **are responsible for 44% of all identity-related fraud reports** in the United States.

### **How Many Children Had Their Identities Stolen From Fraudsters?**

Around **1.3 million children have their identities stolen from fraudsters**.

### **Identity Theft Reports By Age:**

Consumer Age | Number Of Reports
--- | ---
80 and Over | 8,162.00
70 – 79 | 38,427.00
60 – 69 | 99,805.00
50 – 59 | 174,019.00
40 – 49 | 217,703.00
30 – 39 | 245,258.00
20 – 29 | 151,132.00
19 and Under | 19,462.00

### **Types Of Identity Theft By Age:**

Theft Type | 80 and Over | 70 – 79 | 60 – 69 | 50 – 59 | 40 – 49 | 30 – 39 | 20 – 29 | 19 and Under
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Phone or Utilities Fraud | 348 | 1364 | 3788 | 7749 | 13431 | 21138 | 15701 | 563
Other Identity Theft | 1271 | 5561 | 15779 | 34477 | 58415 | 80602 | 47676 | 2198
Loan or Lease Fraud | 394 | 1953 | 7080 | 17104 | 32697 | 51533 | 32074 | 840
Government Documents or Benefits Fraud | 2870 | 18617 | 47586 | 75292 | 63721 | 30619 | 14747 | 2178
Employment or Tax-Related Fraud | 1328 | 3455 | 7779 | 12349 | 15745 | 21833 | 19174 | 12719
Credit Card Fraud | 1352 | 5043 | 14791 | 32033 | 55843 | 81355 | 49258 | 1330
Bank Fraud | 1504 | 5668 | 13159 | 17712 | 18746 | 19310 | 11642 | 1296

**Key Statistics:**

- People with social media accounts are 46% more likely to be a victim of identity fraud than someone without it.

- Victims of Identity theft are 43% more likely to reside in an affluent suburb.

- According to the FTC, 1 in 4 victims of ID theft is 60 years old or older.

- This indicates that 24.1% of individuals who are 60 years or older, living in the United States are targeted in online attacks.

- Over half of the victims were under the age of 50.

- Identity theft victims are 73% more likely to have an advanced degree.

## Conclusion

### **Taking Action**

Identity Theft and Fraud is a massive problem in the United States, and it’s only getting worse.

Make sure you have some form of identity theft protection and be vigilant about protecting your personal information.

By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of becoming one of the millions of Americans who have their identities stolen each year.

**Sources:**

**[FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2020) | [GIACT](https://www.giact.com/aite-report-us-identity-theft-the-stark-reality) | [Policy Advice](https://policyadvice.net/insurance/insights/identity-theft-statistics/) |**