In 2020, at a time when many people were looking for a job, scammers were hard at work trying to trick Americans out of their money. Throughout the year, law enforcement reported 4.7 million instances of fraud, identity theft, and other scams. This shattered the previous record from 2019 by nearly 1.5 million reports. In total, Americans lost $3.3 billion to fraud last year.
Though every state had hundreds, if not thousands, of reports of fraud, some state populations were much more prone to identity theft than others. A few states reported less than 100 incidents per 100,000 residents, while three states reported over 1,000 incidents per 100,000.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book to identify the states with the most and least identity theft.
In 2020, by far the most common type of identity theft involved people fraudulently applying for government benefits. As the federal government offered loans to businesses and additional unemployment benefits because of the pandemic, there were nearly 400,000 reports of people fraudulently applying for or receiving benefits — a nearly 3,000% increase from the previous year.
In most cases, the person reporting fraud did not lose any money. Still, nearly three-quarters of a million Americans, just over a third of cases, were defrauded out of some money. The median loss in these cases was $311, yet nearly 40,000 Americans reported losing over $10,000 in some kind of criminal scam.
There does not appear to be any common through line between the states with the most identity theft per capita. The states near the top of the list run the gamut between big and small populations, high and low income, and they are located all across the country. Some of the states with the most identity theft generally have low violent crime rates, while others rank among the most dangerous states in America.
Click here to see the states with the most identity theft
50. South Dakota
> Identity theft complaints: 72 per 100,000 (total: 637)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $252 (14th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (26% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Bank fraud (19% of total)
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49. Iowa
> Identity theft complaints: 96 per 100,000 (total: 3,022)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $250 (13th lowest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (24% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (23% of total)
48. Nebraska
> Identity theft complaints: 113 per 100,000 (total: 2,182)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $263 (16th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (28% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (23% of total)
47. Alaska
> Identity theft complaints: 127 per 100,000 (total: 926)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $500 (the highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (27% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (24% of total)
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46. Kentucky
> Identity theft complaints: 127 per 100,000 (total: 5,693)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $210 (2nd lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (24% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (23% of total)
45. Vermont
> Identity theft complaints: 130 per 100,000 (total: 810)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $298 (24th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (38% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (22% of total)
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44. Idaho
> Identity theft complaints: 132 per 100,000 (total: 2,353)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $295 (25th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (23% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (23% of total)
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43. Minnesota
> Identity theft complaints: 146 per 100,000 (total: 8,246)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (19th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (29% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (28% of total)
42. West Virginia
> Identity theft complaints: 148 per 100,000 (total: 2,646)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $205 (the lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (42% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (19% of total)
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41. Wyoming
> Identity theft complaints: 151 per 100,000 (total: 875)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $312 (17th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (35% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Employment or tax-related fraud (22% of total)
40. Wisconsin
> Identity theft complaints: 154 per 100,000 (total: 8,986)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $249 (10th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (26% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (26% of total)
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39. New Mexico
> Identity theft complaints: 165 per 100,000 (total: 3,454)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $420 (2nd highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (25% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Employment or tax-related fraud (23% of total)
38. North Dakota
> Identity theft complaints: 166 per 100,000 (total: 1,266)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $381 (8th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (47% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (18% of total)
37. New Hampshire
> Identity theft complaints: 169 per 100,000 (total: 2,301)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $231 (7th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (30% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (24% of total)
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36. Oregon
> Identity theft complaints: 176 per 100,000 (total: 7,432)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (19th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (25% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (23% of total)
35. Virginia
> Identity theft complaints: 183 per 100,000 (total: 15,632)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $340 (13th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (32% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (30% of total)
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34. Connecticut
> Identity theft complaints: 191 per 100,000 (total: 6,821)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $286 (23rd lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (32% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (22% of total)
33. Ohio
> Identity theft complaints: 222 per 100,000 (total: 25,893)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $230 (6th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (27% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (26% of total)
32. Missouri
> Identity theft complaints: 222 per 100,000 (total: 13,653)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $236 (8th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (38% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (22% of total)
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31. Montana
> Identity theft complaints: 228 per 100,000 (total: 2,439)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $299 (23rd highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (57% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (13% of total)
30. Michigan
> Identity theft complaints: 244 per 100,000 (total: 24,370)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $250 (13th lowest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (28% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (25% of total)
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29. Indiana
> Identity theft complaints: 257 per 100,000 (total: 17,306)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $240 (9th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (48% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (18% of total)
28. Pennsylvania
> Identity theft complaints: 265 per 100,000 (total: 33,886)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $261 (15th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (35% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (24% of total)
27. Hawaii
> Identity theft complaints: 271 per 100,000 (total: 3,835)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $370 (10th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (49% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (17% of total)
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26. Tennessee
> Identity theft complaints: 281 per 100,000 (total: 19,182)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $270 (18th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (40% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (35% of total)
25. North Carolina
> Identity theft complaints: 288 per 100,000 (total: 30,176)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $285 (22nd lowest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (36% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (35% of total)
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24. Utah
> Identity theft complaints: 292 per 100,000 (total: 9,366)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $322 (15th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (51% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (29% of total)
23. Maryland
> Identity theft complaints: 343 per 100,000 (total: 20,718)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $329 (14th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (40% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (29% of total)
22. New York
> Identity theft complaints: 345 per 100,000 (total: 67,202)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $306 (18th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (37% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (24% of total)
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21. Oklahoma
> Identity theft complaints: 349 per 100,000 (total: 13,797)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $269 (17th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (51% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (18% of total)
20. Alabama
> Identity theft complaints: 354 per 100,000 (total: 17,376)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $280 (20th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (42% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (34% of total)
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19. Colorado
> Identity theft complaints: 361 per 100,000 (total: 20,762)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $360 (11th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (58% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (15% of total)
18. New Jersey
> Identity theft complaints: 362 per 100,000 (total: 32,125)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $320 (16th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (35% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (25% of total)
17. Mississippi
> Identity theft complaints: 371 per 100,000 (total: 11,048)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $213 (4th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (40% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (32% of total)
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16. South Carolina
> Identity theft complaints: 373 per 100,000 (total: 19,193)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $294 (24th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (41% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (31% of total)
15. California
> Identity theft complaints: 373 per 100,000 (total: 147,382)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $407 (3rd highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (45% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (27% of total)
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14. Arizona
> Identity theft complaints: 380 per 100,000 (total: 27,661)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $374 (9th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (39% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (19% of total)
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13. Delaware
> Identity theft complaints: 449 per 100,000 (total: 4,374)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (4th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (31% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Bank fraud (29% of total)
12. Texas
> Identity theft complaints: 465 per 100,000 (total: 134,788)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $350 (12th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (32% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Loan or lease fraud (29% of total)
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11. Florida
> Identity theft complaints: 472 per 100,000 (total: 101,367)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $384 (7th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (44% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (34% of total)
10. Louisiana
> Identity theft complaints: 473 per 100,000 (total: 21,976)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (19th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Loan or lease fraud (43% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (33% of total)
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9. Maine
> Identity theft complaints: 534 per 100,000 (total: 7,183)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $211 (3rd lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (75% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (12% of total)
8. Arkansas
> Identity theft complaints: 579 per 100,000 (total: 17,470)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $296 (25th highest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (39% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (34% of total)
7. Georgia
> Identity theft complaints: 654 per 100,000 (total: 69,487)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $300 (19th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (42% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (41% of total)
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6. Massachusetts
> Identity theft complaints: 661 per 100,000 (total: 45,575)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $275 (19th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (65% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (17% of total)
5. Washington
> Identity theft complaints: 712 per 100,000 (total: 54,247)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (4th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (70% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (12% of total)
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4. Nevada
> Identity theft complaints: 740 per 100,000 (total: 22,801)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $400 (4th highest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (42% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (24% of total)
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3. Illinois
> Identity theft complaints: 1,066 per 100,000 (total: 135,038)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $285 (22nd lowest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (73% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Credit card fraud (11% of total)
2. Rhode Island
> Identity theft complaints: 1,191 per 100,000 (total: 12,621)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $229 (5th lowest)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (80% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (9% of total)
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1. Kansas
> Identity theft complaints: 1,483 per 100,000 (total: 43,211)
> Median loss for all types of fraud: $250 (13th lowest – tied)
> Most common form of ID theft: Government documents or benefits fraud (88% of total)
> Second most common form of ID theft: Other identity theft (5% of total)
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