In 2023, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported a decrease in identity crimes in the US [5], with compromised credentials being the most common form of theft [5].
Description
Job scams [1] [2] [4] [5], primarily carried out through websites like LinkedIn [1] [5], saw a significant increase [5]. Google Voice scams [1] [2], while down compared to the previous year, remained the top reported scam [1] [2], often through social media platforms like Facebook. Existing Account Takeover and New Account Creation were the most reported forms of identity misuse [1] [5], followed by crimes committed using compromised personal information and employment-related identity fraud [1]. The ITRC warned of identity thieves using generative artificial intelligence to appear legitimate [5], especially in job postings [1]. The latest ITRC report also highlights the increasing sophistication of online thieves in impersonating legitimate officials [4], potentially due to the use of generative AI technology [4]. While actual ID theft cases may have decreased [4], data thieves’ activity has risen [4], with credit card accounts being a top target [4]. Payment cards [4], including credit cards [4], are the third-most popular target for ID thieves [4], with Social Security cards and driver’s licenses being attacked more frequently [4]. Criminals are using advanced technology to scam their victims [4], emphasizing the importance of verifying contacts directly from the source [4]. The volume of scams generally follows state population figures [4], with California having the most victims [4]. Despite some positive trends [4], the report cautions that there are still too many identity theft victims and insufficient resources to help them [4]. Despite the decrease in reported identity crimes [3], the ITRC highlighted the growing sophistication of identity criminals, potentially leading to more damaging impacts on individuals and businesses [3].
Conclusion
The increasing sophistication of identity thieves poses a significant threat to individuals and businesses. It is crucial to remain vigilant and verify contacts directly from the source to prevent falling victim to identity theft. The ITRC’s report highlights the need for more resources to combat identity crimes and protect potential victims in the future.
References
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2023-trends-identity-report-identity-115200707.html
[2] https://www.prweb.com/releases/2023-trends-in-identity-report-identity-theft-resource-center-sees-118-percent-increase-in-job-scams-google-voice-remains-top-scam-302172748.html
[3] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/identity-crime-drop-16-annually/
[4] https://www.digitaltransactions.net/theres-good-news-bad-news-in-the-latest-statistics-on-identity-theft/
[5] https://ediscoverytoday.com/2024/06/26/2023-trends-in-identity-report-identity-crimes-down-but-job-scams-way-up-cybersecurity-trends/
