Identity Theft Resource Center Inaugural 2021 Trends in Identity Report Highlights Wide Range of Identity Crimes

The 2021 ITRC Trends in Identity Report reveals a 1,044 percent increase in social media account hijacking; 88 percent increase in unemployment benefits identity fraud

SAN DIEGO, August 17, 2022 – The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, has published its first-ever report that looks at the identity crimes committed against individuals as reported by the victims of those crimes – the ITRC’s 2021 Trends in Identity Report.

In the report, the ITRC identifies the identity scams reported in 2021 and how criminals convinced people to willingly share information they know should be protected. The report also identifies how stolen information was used to open new accounts, as well as tips on what people can do to protect themselves and their information.

In 2021, the ITRC received the highest number of contacts in its history about identity crimes and requests for assistance to prevent identity misuse. Identity scams were the primary cause of victims sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with criminals, and Google Voice scams were the most reported identity-related scams at 53 percent.

The ITRC saw increases in 2021 in the following areas:

• Reports from victims of non-financial account takeover (235 percent increase over 2020)
• Social media account takeover (1,044 percent increase over 2020)
• Identity misuse involving government credentials or accounts (154 percent increase from 2019-2020 and seven (7) percent increase from 2020 to 2021)

Download the ITRC’s 2021 Trends in Identity Report

“When we look back on 2021, it was a record-breaking year in so many different areas,” said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “We saw many different forms of identity crimes reach levels we have not seen since we were founded in 1999. With high water marks for identity fraud, compromises, and misuse, it’s important to take protective measures like freezing your credit, using strong 12+ character unique passphrases on all of your accounts and ignoring suspicious messages.”

According to the 2021 Trends in Identity Report, the ITRC also saw rises in government identity misuse. There was a 288 percent increase in Small Business Administration (SBA) loan misuse. This grew 4,000 percent from 2018 to 2020. Also, there was a 32 percent increase in fraudulently filed taxes. Regarding financial account identity misuse trends, 37 percent of all account takeovers were bank accounts or financial accounts. Thirty-six (36) percent of new account fraud were credit card accounts, and there was an eight (8) percent increase year-over-year in new account fraud due to new accounts being opened.

In the Trends in Identity Report, the ITRC offers tips on how to stay vigilant:

• To reduce the risk of a social media scam that leads to an account takeover, watch out for a direct message from “friends” and followers that say you can win or earn easy money. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t click on any links in a message you are not expecting. Instead, go directly to the source to verify the validity of the message. Don’t share PII.
• To reduce the risk of identity fraud tied to pandemic assistance, freeze your credit, guard your PII, and use strong and unique passcodes. Take the same steps to stay vigilant against new account fraud.

Consumers and victims can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable live advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting www.idtheftcenter.org to live-chat. 

About the Identity Theft Resource Center   

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities. 

Media Contact  

Identity Theft Resource Center  
Alex Achten  
Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations  
888.400.5530 Ext. 3611  
[email protected]