Identity Theft Statistics Cases per year

Most identity theft cases are still not reported to the police so exact numbers are impossible to guage.

Up to 700,000 people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year, according to the Justice Department (during press release- 2002 Federal Trade Commission Study). Recent reports now talk about 10,000,000 victims.

The Secret Service estimates that in 1997 consumers lost more than $745 million due to identity theft. These days it is probably in the billions.
A recent report on identity theft warned that there is likely to be "mass victimization" of consumers within the next two years. The report said consumers should be extra careful to monitor all their financial transactions for unexplained account activity, withdrawals, or fund transfers.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The average victim spends 175 hours and $1000.00 repairing the damage.


The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is its number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.


" Every 79 seconds, a thief steals someone's identity, opens accounts in the victim's name and goes on a buying spree."

-CBSnews.com, 1/25/2001



A study by Gartner Group reveals that 1 in 50 consumers has suffered identity theft. The survey, conducted by Gartner Inc., also indicates consumers are so concerned about the problem that they are calling for changes in the way electronic transactions are performed.



According to the FTC's figures, ID theft is the most popular form of consumer fraud, in part because it is the most profitable. ID thieves stole nearly $100 million from financial institutions last year, or an average of $6,767 per victim.