Identity Theft Trends: Complex Scams on the Rise
The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) has released its 2025 Trends in Identity Report, revealing a complex landscape of identity crimes. While reported identity crimes decreased by 31 percentage points compared to the previous year, there was a significant increase in individuals experiencing multiple identity-related concerns, rising from 15% to 24%.
Key Findings
- Account takeover remained a significant threat, with 53% of misuse reports involving existing accounts.
- New account creation using stolen personal information accounted for 36% of misuse cases.
- There was a 754% increase in tech account takeovers and a 47% rise in person-to-person payment app takeovers.
- Impersonation scams surged by 148%, with criminals typically impersonating general businesses (51%) or financial institutions (21%).
Emerging Trends
The report highlights several emerging trends, including:
- A 102% increase in fraudulent new property leases and rentals
- A 111% rise in reports of fraudulent federal student loans
- A 612% spike in stolen birth certificate reports
New types of scams have emerged, such as toll road scams, which accounted for 3% of all reported scams. Meanwhile, Google Voice scams decreased by 84% and job scams dropped by 31%.
Impact of AI on Identity Crimes
ITRC CEO Eva Velasquez noted that artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier for criminals to facilitate identity crimes. “We are only at the very beginning of what AI can do to facilitate identity and cyber crimes,” she said. “The power of AI in the hands of professional criminals is accelerating a shift we’ve long warned about – where traditional crime patterns give way to a landscape in which anyone can be a victim.”
Support for Victims
The ITRC provides free support and guidance to victims through various channels, including a toll-free number (888.400.5530) and live chat on their website (idtheftcenter.org). The organization remains committed to helping individuals and businesses prevent identity crimes and recover when they occur.
