With the widespread use of the internet, identity theft has become much more common. The number of identity theft reports shot up from about 86,000 in 2001 to a peak of 490,000 reports in 2015, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In 2018, there were 445,000 reported cases, and Americans lost over $1 billion to fraud associated with identity theft.
Unlike other types of property crime, which are concentrated in certain areas, identity thieves can target victims from across the globe. Yet identity theft reports are not evenly dispersed across the country. The state with the highest concentration of identity theft reported more than four times as many incidents per capita as the state with the least.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book to identify the states with the highest and lowest rates of identity theft.
There are many different ways that identity thieves can use someone’s personal information for their own benefit. Victims have reported that identity thieves targeted their credit cards, taxes, utilities, bank accounts, loans, government benefits, and more. The most common type in each state is credit card-related identity theft.
It can be difficult to find a pattern in the data that can explain why some states face more identity theft than others. Many of the states with the highest incidence of identity theft rank among the best states to live in. Yet many others rank among the worst.
Click here to see the states with the most and least identity theft
Click here to read our methodology
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
50. Vermont
> Identity theft complaints: 51 per 100,000 (total: 316)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (25th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $2,192,566 (2nd least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 39% (10th most)
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Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
49. Iowa
> Identity theft complaints: 53 per 100,000 (total: 1,654)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $7,385,680 (16th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 38% (11th most – tied)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
47. Maine
> Identity theft complaints: 56 per 100,000 (total: 744)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (25th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $2,500,849 (4th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images
47. South Dakota
> Identity theft complaints: 56 per 100,000 (total: 486)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $445 (4th most)
> Total amount lost: $2,714,068 (7th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
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Source: alexeys / Getty Images
46. Kentucky
> Identity theft complaints: 57 per 100,000 (total: 2,522)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $318 (12th least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $10,166,539 (22nd least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 35% (22nd most)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
44. West Virginia
> Identity theft complaints: 58 per 100,000 (total: 1,051)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $4,324,644 (11th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
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Source: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons
44. Wyoming
> Identity theft complaints: 58 per 100,000 (total: 338)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $1,786,041 (the least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 31% (9th least – tied)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
43. North Dakota
> Identity theft complaints: 63 per 100,000 (total: 474)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $490 (the most)
> Total amount lost: $2,385,602 (3rd least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 34% (23rd most – tied)
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
42. Wisconsin
> Identity theft complaints: 64 per 100,000 (total: 3,731)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $12,965,435 (25th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
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Source: IamVagabond / Getty Images
41. Nebraska
> Identity theft complaints: 67 per 100,000 (total: 1,281)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $347 (20th least)
> Total amount lost: $4,726,547 (12th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
Source: Chilkoot / Getty Images
40. Alaska
> Identity theft complaints: 69 per 100,000 (total: 507)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $471 (2nd most)
> Total amount lost: $3,573,123 (10th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 38% (11th most – tied)
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Source: Eric Tessmer / Wikimedia Commons
39. Hawaii
> Identity theft complaints: 72 per 100,000 (total: 1,021)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $5,948,547 (15th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 42% (2nd most – tied)
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Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images
37. Minnesota
> Identity theft complaints: 73 per 100,000 (total: 4,070)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $387 (18th most)
> Total amount lost: $15,385,167 (22nd most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 40% (7th most – tied)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
37. Arkansas
> Identity theft complaints: 73 per 100,000 (total: 2,197)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $385 (19th most)
> Total amount lost: $5,011,181 (14th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 30% (5th least – tied)
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Source: ricardoreitmeyer / Getty Images
35. Kansas
> Identity theft complaints: 74 per 100,000 (total: 2,142)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $397 (16th most)
> Total amount lost: $9,812,165 (19th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 36% (18th most – tied)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
35. Indiana
> Identity theft complaints: 74 per 100,000 (total: 4,918)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $358 (23rd most)
> Total amount lost: $16,908,429 (21st most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 30% (5th least – tied)
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Source: lorenkerns / Flickr
34. Montana
> Identity theft complaints: 76 per 100,000 (total: 799)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $2,647,236 (6th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
Source: Majestic_Aerials / Getty Images
33. Oklahoma
> Identity theft complaints: 79 per 100,000 (total: 3,109)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $318 (12th least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $10,992,175 (23rd least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
Source: mattalberts / Getty Images
32. Idaho
> Identity theft complaints: 80 per 100,000 (total: 1,368)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $4,756,931 (13th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 31% (9th least – tied)
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
31. Missouri
> Identity theft complaints: 85 per 100,000 (total: 5,222)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $308 (8th least)
> Total amount lost: $18,706,847 (18th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
Source: TraceRouda / Getty Images
30. Ohio
> Identity theft complaints: 88 per 100,000 (total: 10,268)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $27,148,926 (14th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
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Source: stresstensor / Getty Images
28. Massachusetts
> Identity theft complaints: 93 per 100,000 (total: 6,387)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $351 (24th most)
> Total amount lost: $19,506,144 (17th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 40% (7th most – tied)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
28. Rhode Island
> Identity theft complaints: 93 per 100,000 (total: 990)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (25th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $3,250,855 (8th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 38% (11th most – tied)
Source: Bill_Dally / iStock
27. Utah
> Identity theft complaints: 94 per 100,000 (total: 2,915)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $399 (15th most)
> Total amount lost: $13,229,585 (24th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
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Source: wolfgangstaudt / Flickr
26. New Mexico
> Identity theft complaints: 96 per 100,000 (total: 2,000)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $412 (5th most)
> Total amount lost: $9,966,816 (21st least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 27% (2nd least)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
24. Virginia
> Identity theft complaints: 97 per 100,000 (total: 8,196)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $368 (20th most)
> Total amount lost: $28,023,182 (13th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 36% (19th most)
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Source: Skye Marthaler / Wikimedia Commons
24. Mississippi
> Identity theft complaints: 97 per 100,000 (total: 2,894)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $338 (17th least)
> Total amount lost: $7,693,983 (17th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 28% (3rd least)
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Source: MarkHatfield / Getty Images
23. Washington
> Identity theft complaints: 100 per 100,000 (total: 7,380)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (25th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $28,304,428 (12th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 37% (15th most)
Source: Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
21. Oregon
> Identity theft complaints: 101 per 100,000 (total: 4,179)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $349 (21st least)
> Total amount lost: $11,419,407 (24th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
21. Tennessee
> Identity theft complaints: 101 per 100,000 (total: 6,808)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $345 (19th least)
> Total amount lost: $18,457,932 (19th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
20. Pennsylvania
> Identity theft complaints: 107 per 100,000 (total: 13,725)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $32,747,037 (6th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 37% (17th most)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
18. Connecticut
> Identity theft complaints: 108 per 100,000 (total: 3,864)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $311 (9th least)
> Total amount lost: $8,468,955 (18th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 40% (7th most – tied)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
18. Alabama
> Identity theft complaints: 108 per 100,000 (total: 5,241)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $319 (13th least)
> Total amount lost: $9,853,808 (20th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 32% (13th least – tied)
Source: Gary Gray / Getty Images
17. Colorado
> Identity theft complaints: 110 per 100,000 (total: 6,151)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $365 (21st most)
> Total amount lost: $23,159,205 (16th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 34% (24th most)
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
16. Louisiana
> Identity theft complaints: 111 per 100,000 (total: 5,202)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $391 (17th most)
> Total amount lost: $28,584,969 (11th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 31% (9th least – tied)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
15. North Carolina
> Identity theft complaints: 112 per 100,000 (total: 11,481)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $324 (14th least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $29,594,579 (9th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 31% (9th least – tied)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
14. New Hampshire
> Identity theft complaints: 117 per 100,000 (total: 1,565)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $3,535,216 (9th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 42% (2nd most – tied)
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Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images
13. New York
> Identity theft complaints: 122 per 100,000 (total: 24,248)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $324 (14th least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $65,734,997 (4th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 42% (2nd most – tied)
Source: Kirkikis / iStock
12. New Jersey
> Identity theft complaints: 125 per 100,000 (total: 11,273)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $362 (22nd most)
> Total amount lost: $32,924,822 (5th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 46% (the most)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. South Carolina
> Identity theft complaints: 126 per 100,000 (total: 6,339)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $342 (18th least)
> Total amount lost: $13,753,905 (23rd most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 30% (5th least – tied)
Source: dszc / Getty Images
10. Arizona
> Identity theft complaints: 126 per 100,000 (total: 8,853)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $28,926,411 (10th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 30% (5th least – tied)
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Source: marchello74 / Getty Images
9. Illinois
> Identity theft complaints: 127 per 100,000 (total: 16,296)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $30,492,718 (8th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 37% (16th most)
Source: SolomonCrowe / Getty Images
8. Michigan
> Identity theft complaints: 140 per 100,000 (total: 13,952)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (the least – tied)
> Total amount lost: $23,555,806 (15th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 23% (the least)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
7. Maryland
> Identity theft complaints: 145 per 100,000 (total: 8,747)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (25th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $18,153,947 (20th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 37% (14th most – tied)
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Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images
6. Delaware
> Identity theft complaints: 158 per 100,000 (total: 1,517)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $313 (10th least)
> Total amount lost: $2,560,453 (5th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 35% (21st most – tied)
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
5. Texas
> Identity theft complaints: 159 per 100,000 (total: 45,030)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $95,628,956 (2nd most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 33% (25th most – tied)
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Source: Meinzahn / iStock
4. Florida
> Identity theft complaints: 180 per 100,000 (total: 37,797)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $84,209,310 (3rd most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 42% (2nd most – tied)
Source: choness / Getty Images
3. California
> Identity theft complaints: 186 per 100,000 (total: 73,668)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (6th most – tied)
> Total amount lost: $173,230,257 (the most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 41% (6th most)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
2. Nevada
> Identity theft complaints: 194 per 100,000 (total: 5,816)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $462 (3rd most)
> Total amount lost: $11,518,640 (25th least)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 29% (4th least)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
1. Georgia
> Identity theft complaints: 229 per 100,000 (total: 23,871)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $326 (16th least)
> Total amount lost: $31,118,503 (7th most)
> Pct. total fraud involving credit cards: 36% (20th most)
Methodology
To determine the states with the highest and lowest rates of identity theft per capita, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed complaints of identity theft per 100,000 residents in every state with data from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. We also considered the median amount lost in all forms of fraud. All figures are for 2018.
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