Identity Theft Complaints Rose In Most States In 2024 With Florida At The Top Of The List

Forbes

3 days ago

Credit card fraud topped the list of reported identity theft in 2024.
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Identity theft reports rose by 9% nationwide last year, representing the first year-over-year increase in identity theft reports since 2021. Reported incidents increased by nearly 100,000 between 2023 and 2024, suggesting that identity thieves have found new way to evade existing protections, such as using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create more convincing scams.
Florida residents reported the most issues of any state in 2024, with 528 identity theft reports for every 100,000 people living in the state, according to an analysis of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data by All About Cookies, which focuses on online privacy and data security.
The only other state with a rate in excess of 500 reports per capita was neighboring Georgia, at 517 reports per 100,000 people.
For 2024, most identity theft reports were filed in southern states.
Kelly Phillips Erb
At the other end of the spectrum, South Dakota had just 94 per 100,000 people. No other state had fewer than 100 reports per capita, although Vermont was close, with 101 identity theft reports for every 100,000 residents.
Identity theft reports rose by 26% in Louisiana, the most of any state. Five other southern states also landed in the top 10 when it came to the most increases in identity theft: Arkansas (2), Florida (4), Kentucky (5), Mississippi (6), and Missouri (8). Rhode Island (3), California (7), Nevada (9), and New York (10) rounded out the top 10.
The data suggests that South is a 'genuine identity theft hotspot,' being home to nine of the top 10 cities with the highest number of reported identity thefts. Miami tops the list with 903 reported instances of identity theft for every 100,000 people, which is over 200 reports per capita higher than any other city. Atlanta ranks second at 690 reports per 100,000 people, while Houston holds third at 573 per 100,000. The only non-southern city in the top 10 is Los Angeles, with 550 reports for every 100,000 residents. Orlando (Florida), Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Killeen (Texas), Dallas (Texas), Lakeland (Florida) and Macon (Georgia) complete the list.
The South also leads the way when it comes to increases in theft reports. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recorded a 55% increase in identity theft reports, followed by New Orleans, which experienced a 35% increase. The rate of identity theft increased by at least 20% in six different Florida cities, each of which ranked among the top 10 cities with the largest such increases nationwide.
Overall, identity theft reports rose in 37 states, decreased in 12 states, and remained consistent year over year in two states.
Stolen credit card information is the most common form of identity theft, accounting for 40% of all identity theft reports in 2024.
'Other' forms of identity theft—those that do not fit into any other category—ranked second with 32% of identity theft reports. This includes reports of identity theft related to social media, insurance, medical services, and online shopping.
Identity theft related to acquiring loans or leases, such as mortgages or rental agreements, ranked third, while bank account identity theft ranked fourth. Employment or tax-related theft (generally associated with Social Security numbers) ranked fifth.
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. They may steal your name, address, credit card or bank account numbers, and Social Security number. Furthermore, they can use this information to obtain new credit cards in your name, open a phone or gas account under your name, or steal your tax refund.
You may not even know that it has happened. The best way to protect yourself is to be vigilant. Check your bills and bank statements for unusual charges, and regularly review your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
You can also take proactive steps, such as placing a credit freeze on your credit reports. While a freeze is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name. There's no cost to place or lift a freeze. Contact each of the three credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—for details.
Take steps to keep your financial records and personally identifying information secure. Keep them in a safe place and securely dispose of any papers with the information (your best bet is the shred them).
And look out for scammers. The IRS, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies won't call, email, or text you to ask for your Social Security number, bank account information, or other personal details.
(For more tips to protect yourself, check out this previous article.)
Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number and personal information to steal your tax refund or use your information to file a return to claim a bogus tax refund. You may not even know you're a victim until you file your tax return and it's either rejected online or you receive a letter from the IRS.
If you file a paper tax return and your identity has been used to file a return, the IRS will mail you a letter explaining that it received more than one return in your name. Don't ignore the letter—read it carefully and follow the instructions.
If you file your tax return online or through a tax preparer and it is rejected as a duplicate filing, click over to IdentityTheft.gov and make a report. When you submit a report at IdentityTheft.gov, it will generate three things: (1) an FTC Identity Theft Report, (2) an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, and (3) your personal recovery plan. Your IRS Identity Theft Affidavit will automatically be submitted to the IRS online so that the IRS can begin investigating your case.
If you don't want to make a report at IdentityTheft.gov, you can click over to Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit and submit it by mail. You can also submit it online.
If you are the victim of identity theft, you should consider opting into the IRS Identity Protection PIN program. An IP PIN is a six-digit number that helps prevent thieves from filing federal tax returns in the names of identity theft victims. The IP PIN is a voluntary program open to any taxpayer who can verify their identity.
The fastest way to receive an IP PIN is to request one through your online account. If you don't already have an account on IRS.gov, you'll need to create one. The IP PIN is generally available in your online account from mid-January to mid-November.
Once you have opted in and obtained an IP PIN online, you'll need to use it each year when filing any federal tax returns, including prior-year returns. You'll find it in your online account through the Profile Tab. An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year. A new IP PIN is generated each year for your account.
If you want an IP PIN but can't create an online account, there are alternatives (they just take longer). For example, if your adjusted gross income on your last filed return is below $84,000 for individuals or $168,000 for married filing jointly, you have the option to use Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. You must have a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and access to a telephone. The IRS will use the telephone number provided on Form 15227 to call you and validate your identity. Once the IRS verifies your identity, you will receive your IP PIN via U.S. mail, usually within four to six weeks. You will receive your IP PIN each year through the mail.
You can also make an appointment for an in-person meeting at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center. You'll need to bring one current government-issued photo identification document and another identification document to prove your identity. Once the IRS verifies your identity, you will receive your IP PIN via mail, typically within three weeks. Again, you will receive your IP PIN annually through the mail.
The IRS also has a hub—Identity Theft Central—that you can visit for more resources.
When consumers file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), those reports are stored in the Consumer Sentinel Network (Sentinel), an online database available only to law enforcement. Since 1997, Sentinel has collected tens of millions of consumer reports related to fraud, identity theft, and other consumer protection issues. That information is aggregated into an annual data book.
The All About Cookies team analyzed the FTC data to identify where identity theft is most prevalent, where crime is on the rise, and the most common types of identity theft across the country. All About Cookies offers tips, advice, and recommendations to assist with online privacy, prevent identity theft, and enhance digital security.