How Common Is Identity Theft? (Updated 2018) The Latest Stats
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| Number of Identity Theft Victims And Amount Stolen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Individuals Impacted (in millions) | Amount Stolen (in billions) |
| Source: Javelin Strategy & Research | ||
| 2017 | 16.7 | $16.8 |
| 2016 | 15.4 | $16.2 |
| 2015 | 13.1 | $15.5 |
| 2014 | 12.7 | $16.4 |
| 2013 | 13.1 | $19.3 |
| 2012 | 12.6 | $22.1 |
Most common types of identity theft
What are the most common types of identity theft? According to the Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that maintains a sort of warehouse for identity theft complaints, the crime falls into six major categories:
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Employment- or tax-related fraud (34%)
What it is: A criminal uses someone else’s Social Security number and other personal information to gain employment or to file an income tax return. -
Credit card fraud (33%)
What it is: The thief uses someone else’s credit card or credit card number to make fraudulent purchases. -
Phone or utilities fraud (13%)
What it is: The criminal uses another person’s personal information to open a wireless phone or utility account. -
Bank fraud (12%)
What it is: The fraudster uses someone else’s personal information to take over an existing financial account or to open a new account in someone else’s name. -
Loan or lease fraud (7%)
What it is: A borrower or a lessee uses someone else’s information to obtain the loan or lease. -
Government documents or benefits fraud (7%)
What it is: The criminal uses stolen personal information to obtain government benefits.
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