Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Statistics for 2024

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The latest identity theft and credit card fraud statistics paint a bleak picture. Since 2020, they have been among the most common types of fraud. While reports of identity theft and credit card fraud have dropped, they remained above pre-pandemic levels over the course of 2023.

After doubling between 2019 and 2020, reports of identity theft continued to grow in 2021, and nearly 1.4 million people were impacted. Approximately 1.1 million reports of identity theft were collected by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022 and 1 million reports were filed in 2023.

Read on for a full report covering identity theft statistics, how these crimes have evolved, the demographics at the biggest risk, and much more.

Key findings

  • Identity theft declines in 2023: There were 1.036 million reports of identity theft in 2023, down from 1.107 million in 2022, and 1.434 million in 2021.
  • Credit card fraud remains top concern: Credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft in 2023 with 426 thousand reports, down from 448 thousand in 2022.
  • Government and benefits fraud on the rise: Government documents or benefits fraud increased by 68% in 2023 after declining by 85% in 2022. There were 102,000 reports of government documents or benefits fraud in 2023 compared to 61,000 in 2022.

Identity theft in the United States

The Federal Trade Commission received roughly 1 million reports of identity theft in 2023, down from 1.1 million in 2022.

The identity theft statistics collected by the FTC are based on reports from consumers, so it's likely that there are many cases of identity fraud that go uncounted.

Identity theft reports in the United States

Year Identity theft reports
2019 650,000
2020 1,389,000
2021 1,434,000
2022 1,108,000
2023 1,037,000
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024).

The rate of identity theft increased significantly from 2017 to 2021, growing from 371,000 reports to 1.4 million. While reports of identity theft have dropped after peaking in 2021, they remain well above pre-pandemic rates.

A line chart showing the number of cases of identity theft over time.

According to a report by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft cases resulted in losses of $20 billion in 2022, a 15% drop from its 2021 study.

The most common types of identity theft

Identity theft comes in many forms, with credit card fraud being the most common. Roughly 426,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported to the FTC in 2023. That's down 5% from 2022 but still 53% higher than 2019, when 278,000 cases were reported.

Type of identity fraud Reported cases, 2023 Percent change in reported cases, 2022 to 2023
Credit Card Fraud 425,977 (5%)
Other Identity Theft 279,221 (19%)
Loan or Lease Fraud 171,900 (4%)
Bank Fraud 145,206 (12%)
Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 102,115 68%
Employment or Tax-Related Fraud 92,177 (12%)
Phone or Utilities Fraud 87,402 2%
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024). Not all identity theft reports include the theft type or subtype.

Government documents or benefits fraud had a resurgence in 2023, with 102,000 cases reported, up 68% from 2022. That type of fraud was the most common type of identity theft in 2021, but plummeted in 2022 as government benefits deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic wound down.

Government documents or benefits fraud and phone or utilities fraud were the only types of identity theft to see year-over-year growth in 2023, with the latter receiving 2% more reports.

A line graph showing identity theft reports by type over time.

Other identity theft, which includes schemes involving email and social media, insurance, medical services, online shopping, investing accounts, and more, was the second-most commonly reported type of fraud in 2023.

Within that category, email and social media fraud has been on the rise while medical services fraud has plummeted since the pandemic.

There were 45,000 reported cases of medical services identity theft in 2020 and 43,000 in 2021. In 2023, there were just 14,000 reported cases. Meanwhile, social media and email fraud has nearly doubled from 10,000 cases in 2019 to 19,000 in 2023.

A line graph showing identity theft reports by type over time.

The decline in bank fraud was due to fewer reported cases of new account fraud and fraud involving payment cards, like debit cards and gift cards. Existing bank account fraud grew slightly, with 19,000 cases reported in 2023 compared to 17,000 in 2022.

Credit card fraud in the United States

Credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft in 2023, with 426,000 reported cases. That's down from 448,000 cases reported in 2022 but well above pre-pandemic levels.

Credit card fraud reports by year

Year Credit card fraud reports
2019 277,739
2020 399,721
2021 395,391
2022 448,459
2023 425,977
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024).

From 2017 through 2019, credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft, only to be overtaken by government documents and benefits fraud in 2020 and 2021 (when scammers took advantage of pandemic-era government benefit programs).

Still, there was a 49% increase in reported cases of credit card fraud in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2023, there were 53% more reported cases of credit card fraud than in 2019.

Types of credit card fraud

There are two types of credit card fraud:

  • New account: An identity thief uses your information to open a credit card account in your name.
  • Existing account: An identity thief uses a credit card that you opened. This is usually done by stealing the credit card information.

New account fraud makes up roughly 90% of all credit card fraud, although existing account fraud is on the rise.

Year Existing account fraud New Account fraud
2019 31,044 246,695
2020 33,988 365,733
2021 32,283 363,108
2022 39,407 409,052
2023 44,855 381,122
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024).

When considering how to avoid credit card fraud, preventing people from acquiring card information probably comes to mind. But the statistics show that it's actually far more likely for someone to open an entirely new account using stolen personal data than for fraud to occur via a stolen credit card.

Why is new account fraud the dominant type of credit card fraud? There are several explanations:

  • Existing account fraud has become more difficult. Because of credit card chip technology, the transaction process is more secure and it's harder for criminals to counterfeit credit cards.
  • Data breaches have exposed information for hundreds of millions of people. Identity thieves can use this information for new account fraud.
  • It's easier to steal money through new account fraud because it's an entirely new account that the consumer doesn't know about. With an existing account, the card issuer or the consumer may notice suspicious activity and lock the card in the event of an account takeover by identity thieves.

It's important to remember that individuals can dispute credit card charges with their credit card issuer if a card or information has been stolen. Creditors can then help remove fraudulent charges, which could impact credit reports down the line.

Fraud detection and prevention plus other consumer protections are huge advantages of using a credit card, of course -- in addition to the opportunity to increase your credit score. The Ascent has a guide for how to apply for a credit card and get approved.

The growth of synthetic account fraud

Identity thieves are always developing new ways to steal money. A relatively new form of identity theft, called synthetic account fraud, is one of the fastest-growing financial crimes in the nation.

Synthetic account fraud involves a combination of real and fabricated information, such as a real Social Security number and a false name. The synthetic identity can be used to apply for credit cards, loans, and government benefits. Perpetrators often spend time building a good credit score with synthetic identities. Then, they max out an identity's credit and abandon its accounts.

Retail and the video game industries are the most common targets for synthetic fraud, according to analysis from TransUnion. In the first half of 2023, 10.6% of retail transactions and 7% of video game transactions were suspected to be fraudulent or attempts at fraud.

Synthetic fraud attempts in the retail industry have grown 183% from the first of half of 2019 to the first half of 2023. Video game fraud rates have fallen during that period, but still remain high. Synthetic fraud involving financial services has grown 382% and fraud in the travel and leisure industry grew 353% -- the fastest and second-fastest growing rates of synthetic fraud attempts.

Synthetic fraud attempts by industry Suspected fraud attempt rate, first half 2023 Percent change from first half of 2019 Suspected fraud attempt rate coming from the U.S., first half 2023 Top fraud type
Retail 10.60% 183% 1.00% Promotion abuse
Video games 7.00% (32%) 0.80% Gold farming
Telecommunications 5.30% 2% 1.70% Credit card fraud
Gaming (online gambling) 4.70% 24% 3.70% Promotion abuse
Financial services 4.30% 382% 4.30% Identity fraud
Communities (online dating, forums, etc.) 4.10% (16%) 10.20% Profile misrepresentation
Travel and leisure 2.30% 353% 2.80% Credit card fraud
Insurance 1.60% 61% 4.50% Third party application fraud
Logistics 0.90% 14% 5.70% Shipping fraud
Data source: TransUnion (2023).

Among lenders, auto lenders are most exposed to synthetic fraud, with losses in the first half of 2023 totaling $1.8 billion. That's nearly double that of bank credit cards and 10 times more than retail credit cards and unsecured personal loans.

Lender industry First half, 2023 First half, 2022 Percent change
Auto loans $1.8 billion $1.3 billion 38%
Bank credit cards $994 million $917 million 8%
Retail credit cards $126 million $144 million (13%)
Unsecured personal loans $57 million $57 million 0%
Data source: TransUnion (2023).

Fraudsters target the auto industry because they view it as most profitable, according to Shai Cohen, the senior vice president and head of global fraud solutions at TransUnion. Using a synthetic identity, fraudsters can secure an auto loan for an expensive car, leaving an innocent victim and auto company on the hook.

Identity theft reports by age

Age Identity theft reports in 2023 Percent of total reports
19 and Under 24,008 2%
20 - 29 203,135 18%
30 - 39 333,102 30%
40 - 49 239,313 22%
50 - 59 160,963 15%
60 - 69 91,785 8%
70 - 79 37,021 3%
80 and Over 10,368 1%
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024). Not all identity theft reports include the victim's age.

Those in the 30-to-39 age range have recorded the most identity theft reports for years, including in 2023.

The youngest and oldest Americans report the fewest cases of identity theft. That doesn't necessarily mean they are less susceptible to identity theft -- instead it may suggest that they simply opt not to report, aren't aware that they can, or don't know how.

Here's a look at the most common types of identity fraud for each age group:

Age Most common type of identity theft Number of reports Percentage of age's total identity theft reports, 2022
19 and under Employment or tax-related fraud 13,774 57%
20 to 29 Credit card fraud 71,900 35%
30 to 39 Credit card fraud 122,246 37%
40 to 49 Credit card fraud 84,604 35%
50 to 59 Credit card fraud 53,438 33%
60 to 69 Credit card fraud 27,974 30%
70 to 79 Credit card fraud 10,899 28%
80 and over Credit card fraud 2,852 28%
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024). Not all identity theft reports include the victim's age or theft type.

Identity theft by state

These are the states with the most identity theft reports in 2023:

  1. California: 119,929
  2. Texas: 101,002
  3. Florida: 93,547
  4. New York: 51,484
  5. Georgia: 48,606

Population sizes play a large role in which states have the most identity theft reports. Looking at each state's number of reports per 100,000 residents provides a clearer picture of where identity theft is more prevalent.

States ranked by identity theft reports per capita, 2023

A table and map showing identity theft by state.

Eighteen states saw identity theft per 100,000 residents increase from 2022 to 2023:

  • Connecticut: +69.9%
  • Massachusetts: +58.1%
  • Iowa: +45.4%
  • Nebraska: +33.0%
  • Maine: +24.8%
  • South Dakota: +23.7%
  • Montana: +21.2%
  • Colorado: +19.4%
  • Oregon: +18.0%
  • Ohio: +11.8%
  • Wyoming: +11.6%
  • Minnesota: +10.9%
  • Vermont: +10.2%
  • Alaska: +9.6%
  • Michigan: +8.8%
  • North Dakota: +8.3%
  • Washington: +5.8%
  • Nevada: +0.7%

Not all identity theft reports filed to the FTC contain location information.

Top metropolitan areas for identity theft

The greater Miami metropolitan area and Atlanta metro posted the highest reported cases of identity theft per capita -- no surprise, given that they are in states that also have the highest identity theft reports per 100,000 residents.

There are some metro areas that place higher per capita in terms of identity theft than where their state ranks. Examples include Tuscaloosa and Montgomery in Alabama, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and a number of metro areas in the Carolinas that cover Charlotte, Columbia, and Charleston.

Metropolitan Area Reports per 100K population Number of Reports
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area 729 44,489
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area 604 36,395
Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area 497 1,321
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area 488 34,414
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada Metropolitan Statistical Area 488 10,889
Savannah, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area 483 1,940
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland Metropolitan Statistical Area 467 29,038
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, Connecticut Metropolitan Statistical Area 465 5,644
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California Metropolitan Statistical Area 458 60,428
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area 446 11,747
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area 439 33,078
Killeen-Temple, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area 427 1,997
LaGrange, Georgia-Alabama Micropolitan Statistical Area 400 417
Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area 398 8,289
Macon-Bibb County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area 394 919
Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area 392 2,799
Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area 384 8,154
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area 378 9,927
Florence, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area 369 740
Memphis, Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area 368 4,912
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut Metropolitan Statistical Area 365 3,491
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire Metropolitan Statistical Area 363 17,842
Montgomery, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area 361 1,390
Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area 356 2,809
Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area 354 2,925
Data source: Federal Trade Commission (2024).

Data breaches

Data breaches are one of the ways criminals commit identity theft and credit card fraud. The hackers who steal information through data breaches often sell it on the dark web. Buyers then use the information for various types of fraud.

According to Nationwide, 58% of consumers are concerned about being a victim of cybercrime, but 69% don't have cyber insurance.

Cyber insurance can limit costs stemming from cybercrime and reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from cyberattacks.

The most cited reasons for consumers to not have cyber insurance are lack of knowledge about cyber insurance, not knowing cyber insurance is available to them, and thinking that coverage is too expensive, per Nationwide.

Obtaining cyber insurance may be wise. Sixty-nine percent of consumers don't feel prepared to recover from a cyberattack and 68% haven't thought about how they would respond, Nationwide found.

Data breaches by year

The number of data compromises jumped in 2023 to 3,205 from 1,801 in 2022, however the number of individuals impacted fell by 17%, from 422 million to 352 million, according to The Identity Theft Resource Center.

Year Number of data compromises Number of individuals impacted
2016 1,104 2,541,581,891
2017 1,631 2,081,515,330
2018 1,280 2,231,245,353
2019 1,362 887,286,658
2020 1,108 300,562,519
2021 1,860 300,607,163
2022 1,801 422,212,090
2023 3,205 352,027,892
Data source: Identity Theft Resource Center (2024)

Why have there been more data compromises but fewer individuals impacted? The Identity Theft Resource Center reports that cybercriminals aim to acquire specific personal information that can be used for identity theft, fraud, and scams instead of more sprawling attacks.

Most data breaches occur via cyberattack, with phishing, ransomware, and malware being the most common tactics. Here's how each works:

  • Phishing is when a cybercriminal pretends to be a trusted entity so the target will click a link in an email, text message, or chat message.
  • Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to release sensitive data if the target doesn't pay a ransom.
  • Other types of malware -- which can be inadvertently downloaded through fraudulent ads or other links -- can monitor computer activity and keystrokes, and steal personal information.

Causes of data breaches

Breach type 2020 2021 2022 2023
Cyberattacks 878 1,613 1,595 2365
Human and system errors 152 179 152 729
Physical attacks 78 51 46 53
Supply chain attacks - - - 242
Unknown - 12 10 -
Data source: Identity Theft Resource Center (2024).

There were four root causes of the over 3,000 data breaches in 2023:

  • Cyberattacks: Includes phishing, ransomware, malware, and unsecured cloud environments.
  • Human and system errors: Includes failure to configure cloud security, email or letter correspondence, and lost devices and documents.
  • Physical attacks: Includes device theft, document theft, improper disposal, and skimming devices.
  • Supply chain attacks: Occurs when the attacker compromises a smaller vendor to access information held by a larger company.

Cyberattacks are by far the most common cause of data breaches and impact the largest number of people overall. Human and system errors don't happen nearly as often, but when they do, they impact more people on average. A cyberattack in 2021 impacted an average 117,000 people, whereas each human and system error impacted about 586,000 people.

Types of data compromised

Type of data compromised Number of breaches containing data in 2021 Number of breaches containing data in 2022
Name 1,603 1,560
Full Social Security number 1,136 1,143
Date of birth 686 633
Current home address 681 565
Medical history/condition/treatment/diagnosis 464 465
Driver's license/State ID number 447 499
Bank account number 402 443
Medical insurance account number 361 370
Phone number 218 N/A
Payment card full number 211 N/A
Undisclosed records N/A 226
Medical provider account/record number N/A 196
Data source: Identity Theft Resource Center (2023).

There were dozens of different types of data compromised in 2022's data breaches. The table above includes the numbers for the types of data that are often used for identity theft.

Most data breaches included people's names, and over half of them included full Social Security numbers. Fortunately, fewer than 20% of data breaches contained bank account or payment card information.

A turbulent year for identity theft and credit card fraud

Reported identity theft declined in 2023, but cases still remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic.

Aside from government documents or benefits fraud, all other major types of identity theft fell in 2023. The resurgence in identity theft related to government documents and benefits is concerning and individuals should remain vigilant when asked to share personal information with those who present themselves as a government official.

Data compromises hit a record high in 2023, but impacted fewer people as cybercriminals change their tactics and continue to take aim at personal information instead of undertaking sweeping attacks.

While identity theft isn't as commonplace as it was during the height of the pandemic in late 2020 and early 2021, reports still remain above what was recorded in 2019.

To prevent identity theft, the FTC recommends securing personal information, whether it be in physical form or online, and being vigilant when someone asks for your Social Security number or other sensitive personal information.

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