The latest identity-theft-specific annual figure located is 1,135,291 reports received by the Federal Trade Commission in 2024, according to the FTC’s 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. That is a count of reports—not unique victims or a measure of how many people in the United States experienced identity theft.
How common is identity theft?
Identity theft remains a substantial source of complaints to the FTC. Its 2024 data book records 1,135,291 identity-theft reports, up from 1,036,855 in 2023. These are annual report totals, not a count of distinct people: one person may submit more than one report, and the totals do not establish the share of the U.S. population affected.
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The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network received about 6.5 million consumer reports across categories in 2024. The network combines submissions from consumers and government and nongovernment partners. The FTC says those submissions are unverified and are not based on a representative survey of consumers. Some incidents are never reported, and changes in awareness, reporting behavior, or data handling can shift the totals. The year-to-year increase therefore does not prove that the underlying incidence of identity theft rose by the same amount.
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What are the latest identity theft statistics?
| Measure | Figure | What it counts |
|---|---|---|
| Identity-theft reports, 2024 | 1,135,291 | Reports recorded by the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network; not unique victims or a population rate. |
| Identity-theft reports, 2023 | 1,036,855 | Reports recorded by the network for comparison with 2024. |
| All-fraud reported losses, 2025 | About $16 billion | Reported losses across fraud categories, not identity-theft-only losses. |
| Imposter-scam reported losses, 2025 | $3.5 billion | Reported losses to imposter scams, a fraud category distinct from identity-theft reports. |
The 2025 dollar figures come from the FTC’s 2026 summary of fraud reports and losses. Imposter scams involve a person falsely claiming to represent a business, government agency, relative, or another trusted party. They are useful consumer-protection context, but neither figure measures identity theft specifically. The reviewed FTC sources do not provide a 2025 annual identity-theft report total.
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What the numbers can—and cannot—tell you
Reports are not a census of victims
Consumer Sentinel is a reporting system, not a household survey. Its figures show problems reported to the FTC and its data contributors; they cannot establish the total number of incidents or people affected. Unreported cases are not captured, while a report does not necessarily represent a verified or distinct victim.
Categories and years matter
Use the 2024 identity-theft count when asking how many identity-theft reports the FTC recorded. Do not treat the FTC’s 2025 losses to all fraud or imposter scams as identity-theft losses. A report count and a dollar-loss estimate are different measures, covering different categories and years.
How to reduce the risk of identity theft
Freeze your credit
A credit freeze is free, does not affect your credit score, and remains in place until you lift it. The FTC says, “A credit freeze is something you can do anytime, for any reason.” Contact each of the three nationwide credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to place a freeze. If you apply for credit, a lender may need you to lift it temporarily so it can review your credit report. See the FTC’s credit-freeze and fraud-alert guidance.
A freeze mainly restricts access to your credit report to make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. It does not stop misuse of existing bank or credit-card accounts, so continue checking statements and account activity.
Consider a fraud alert
A free initial fraud alert is an option if you suspect identity theft. Contact one of the three bureaus; it must notify the other two. A fraud alert asks businesses to take steps to verify your identity before opening new credit, while a freeze restricts access to your credit report. They are different tools, and you can consider using both.
Check accounts, reports, and paper records
- Review bank and credit-card statements, bills, and credit reports for unfamiliar charges, withdrawals, accounts, or notices.
- Shred paper records containing personal or financial information before disposal. A cross-cut paper shredder is one option, not a safeguard against online account takeover or data-breach exposure. The FTC also suggests looking for a local shred day or obscuring account numbers with a marker if you cannot shred the documents.
The FTC’s identity-theft guidance explains prevention measures and the limits of monitoring services.
What should I do if someone steals my identity?
Start with the company or account involved, then use the FTC’s recovery site to get a plan tailored to the type of identity theft. The exact next steps can vary—for example, tax identity theft has additional IRS actions.
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- Secure access. Change the affected account’s login, password, and PIN. If the same password is used elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
- Check your credit. Place a fraud alert and review your credit reports for accounts or transactions that are not yours. Consider freezing your credit as well.
- Report the theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for a free personalized recovery plan. The site can also provide letters and forms. Follow the relevant steps in the FTC’s identity-theft recovery guidance.
If someone used your Social Security number to file taxes
Follow the tax-specific instructions in your IdentityTheft.gov plan. The FTC says the site can produce an FTC Identity Theft Report, an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, and a personal recovery plan. Its tax identity-theft guidance describes the steps for this situation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are paid identity-monitoring services necessary?
No single monitoring service prevents identity theft, and paid protection is optional. Some services are sold directly or offered through a financial institution, employer, credit-card provider, or insurer. Compare the actual coverage with free tools before paying.
| Service | What it may do | Important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Credit monitoring | Alerts you to certain changes on the credit reports it watches. | It generally will not alert you to bank-account withdrawals or tax-return fraud. |
| Identity monitoring | Searches some additional data sources and alerts you to certain matches. | Coverage varies; services may not alert you to misuse involving tax refunds or government benefits. |
| Recovery support | May help with letters, creditors, or case management. | Some recovery steps are available directly to consumers at little or no cost. |
| Identity-theft insurance | May cover certain recovery expenses, lost wages, or legal fees. | It generally does not reimburse money stolen by scammers. Limits, deductibles, exclusions, and overlap with other insurance matter. |
Before enrolling, check whether coverage includes all three credit bureaus or only one or two, which data sources generate alerts, whether restoration help costs extra, and the plan’s price and insurance terms. Also weigh what free credit reports, credit freezes, and IdentityTheft.gov already provide.
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