2009 Identity Fraud Stats - Climbing ID Theft

ID Theft Statistics: Javelin 2010 Identity Theft Report

In February Javelin Strategy & Research issued their 2010 report on identity fraud for 2009. Key highlights from the report show that while the instances of identity theft reached record numbers in 2009.

Key statistics
11.1 million adults were victims of identity theft in 2009
The total fraud amount was $54 million
The average victim spent 21 hours and $373 out of pocket resolving the crime
-4.8% of the population was a victim of identity fraud in 2009
13% of identity fraud crimes were committed by someone the victim knew

Per Javelin, the number of identity fraud victims increased by 12% in 2009 and the amount of fraud increased by 12.5%. They report that this is the largest increase since they have been reporting on ID Theft (7 years).

- 4.81 % of the US population is a victim of Identity Fraud.
- The total fraud amount in 2009 reached 54 BILLION dollars, which is up from 48 BILLION dollars in 2008.
- Consumers who monitor their accounts electronically have shorter detection times and their consumer costs are over 50% less.
- Social Security Number thefts remain the top breached data and one of the most difficult frauds to detect.
- The risk of Identity Theft through social networking has nearly doubled in the last year.
- Small Business owners suffer from Identity Fraud at one-and-a-half times the rate of all other adults.

New account fraud represents 39% of all 2009 fraud cases- it was 33% in 2008.
They note that most of these fraudulent accounts were opened online. Fraudulent cell phone accounts make up 29% of total new account fraud. Also - existing credit cards are big targets too. They make up 75% of fraud attacks on existing accounts.