The value of your identity is highly valuable, making it a common target for theft. The federal trade commission reported 1.1 million identity theft cases in 2022, a significant increase from the previous year. The same report also reveals the states that produced the most identity theft reports in 2022.
Identity theft is often a crime of opportunity. Although you may not be completely protected against identity theft, taking measures to secure your identity can significantly decrease the likelihood of identity theft. If you live in a state with a high level of identity theft, this is especially true.
Which state has the most identity thefts?
The Federal Trade Commission identifies cases of identity theft per 100,000 people. While some states don't have as many identity theft records as others, they have the highest rate of identity theft. The FTC was only investigating reported identity theft cases, resulting in a record number of reported cases. The actual number of identity theft cases in the US is probably much higher.
In addition, Southern states are in the lead, with six of the top 10 states on this list. As a result, Southern states have lower average credit scores than those in other regions.
In the U.S., there are 10 states with the least of identity theft, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Which states have the lowest rates of identity theft: New Jersey, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
A trend that exists in all states is difficult to find, indicating some kind of correlation. While older people tend to be more vulnerable than younger ones, Maine's median age is the highest in all states at 45.1 years old. However, it has a low rate of identity theft.
In those states with the lowest rates of identity theft, it's worth noting that some states also have relatively lower populations.
Reducing identity theft is primarily a process of practicing good data hygiene. This means shredding sensitive documents when you toss them. If you have antivirus software installed on your computer, be sure to use it. You should also use complex, unique passwords for your important online accounts.
You can freeze your credit, preventing new lenders from pulling your credit reports for any reason. By preventing bad actors from accessing your credit records, credit freezes prevent them from taking out loans in your name. The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, have their own version of this feature called a credit lock, which works similar to a credit freeze. The credit lock services from Experian and TransUnion come with $1 million in identity theft insurance.
The fraud alert can be sent to your credit for free. The credit bureaus' service helps lenders determine your identity before extending your credit, indicating that it will confirm your identity before extending your credit. While avoiding identity theft is the best option, the second best scenario is catching identity theft early. Credit monitoring services come in handy, particularly when it comes to assessing the creditworthiness of an individual's credit score. When a loan is taken out in your name, they will alert you of any changes in your credit report. Free credit checking services are available.
With certain identity theft protections, such as Aura or IDShield, experts will assist you in recovering your identity.
What should I do if I have been harmed by identity theft?
The passwords for each of your accounts are randomly generated. You pay for the best antivirus software. One day, your credit monitoring service delivers a notification that a hard inquiry has been added to your credit report without your knowledge.
If your frustration and panic fades, you can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission via IdentityTheft.gov. If you suspect a fraudster, it's a good idea to contact a creditor who issued credit to the fraudster. If you want to contact a credit bureau, you'll need to disclose your information to them. If you report fraud to one bureau, that bureau must inform the others.
There are a range of rights you have as a victim of identity theft. If you place a 90-day initial fraud alert on your credit, lenders must take reasonable steps to verify your identity before issuance of new credit. Once you place this fraud alert, you can view a copy of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus for free. The bureaus are responsible for investigating and altering your credit report if it's deemed fraudulent, and you are allowed to dispute any fraudulent information on those credit reports.
You can also place an extended fraud alert on your credit, which works like the 90-day initial fraud alert but lasts for seven years.