Consider these identity theft statistics:
In 2019, 14.4 million consumers became victims of identity fraud
— that’s about 1 in 15 people. Overall, 33 percent of U.S. adults have experienced identity theft, which is more than twice the global average.
How many cases of identity theft are there in 2020?
The FTC also reports a 73% year-over-year increase in identity thefts from 2019 to 2020. There were
nearly 1.4 million reported ID theft incidents
in 2020, versus 650,000+ in 2019.
How common is 2020 identity?
There were
nearly 1.4 million reported cases
of identity theft in 2020, with nearly one-third of those having been victims of identity theft before. Identity theft increased 53% from 2019 to 2020. Married women are the most common victims of identity theft.
How many identities are stolen each year?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many
as 9 million Americans
have had their identities stolen each year. By learning about this issue, you can learn crime prevention tips as well as learn what to do if you become a victim.
What is the most common identity theft?
Financial identity theft
is the most common type of identity theft.
How easy is it to have your identity stolen?
There are a number of ways identity thieves may obtain your personal information. Fraudsters may
dig through mail or trash in search of credit card or bank statements
.
Unsecured web sites or public Wi-Fi may
allow identity thieves to access your information electronically.
Who is at risk for identity theft?
Three main age groups stand out among victims of identity theft:
the elderly, college students and children
. The Bureau of Justice reports the number of elderly victims grew by 25 percent between 2012 and 2014. In children, identity theft victims as young as 5 months old have been reported.
What are the 5 most common types of identity theft?
- Driver’s license ID Theft. The information on your stolen driver’s license provides your name, address, and date of birth, as well as a State driver’s identity number. …
- Social Security ID Theft. …
- Medical ID Theft. …
- Character/Criminal ID Theft. …
- Financial ID Theft.
How many people scammed 2020?
Targeting scams report 2020 infographic
“Unfortunately scammers continue to become more sophisticated and last year used the COVID-19 pandemic to scam and take advantage of people from all walks of life during this crisis.” Of the $851 million in combined losses,
$176 million
were reported to Scamwatch alone.
How can we avoid identity theft?
- Freeze your credit. …
- Safeguard your Social Security number. …
- Be alert to phishing and spoofing. …
- Use strong passwords and add an authentication step. …
- Use alerts. …
- Watch your mailbox. …
- Shred, shred, shred. …
- Use a digital wallet.
Are identity thieves ever caught?
Are identity thieves ever caught? Identity theft statistics for 2020
are not available yet
; however, 2006 research showed that federal authorities arrest only 0.14% of the criminals (one person in 700 identity theft suspects).
How many people lost their identity last year?
Consumers lost $56 billion to identity fraud last year—here’s what to look out for. Identity fraud cost Americans a total of about $56 billion last year, with
about 49 million consumers
falling victim. That’s according to the 2021 Identity Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy & Research released Tuesday.
How long has identity theft existed?
These were the scams referred to when the phrase “identity theft” was coined in
1964
, according to the Oxford Dictionary. It was several more years before the phrase was mainstream enough to warn potential victims of these telephoning thieves, who made up nearly 100 percent of all identity theft cases.
What might Identity thieves do with your identity?
Identity thieves can
steal your personal information directly
or indirectly by: Stealing your wallets and purses containing identification cards, credit cards and bank information. Stealing your mail including credit and bank statements, phone or utility bills, new checks, and tax information.
What is needed to steal my identity?
Identity theft begins when someone takes your personally identifiable information such as your name,
Social Security Number
, date of birth, your mother’s maiden name, and your address to use it, without your knowledge or permission, for their personal financial gain.
How can I find out if someone is using my identity?
- Track what bills you owe and when they’re due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.
- Review your bills. …
- Check your bank account statement. …
- Get and review your credit reports.
