2022 Trends in Identity Report: Most Contacts to the Identity Theft Resource Center About Compromised Identities Were Victims of a Google Voice Scam

In 2022, 61 percent (4,081) of identity compromise reports to the ITRC were victims of a Google Voice scam, up from 53 percent in 2021 (3,926)

SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2023 – The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, has published its second-annual report that looks at the identity crimes committed against individuals as reported by the victims of those crimes – the ITRC’s 2022 Trends in Identity Report, supported by IdentityIQ.

In the report, the ITRC notes the identity crimes reported in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, as well as how criminals convinced people to willingly share information they know should be protected. The report also outlines how stolen information was used to open new accounts.

In 2022, the ITRC had a similar number of reported identity crimes (compromise, theft, and misuse) to its all-time high in 2021: 14,817 in 2022 compared to 14,947 in 2021, a decrease of less than one (1) percent. The ITRC reported the following in 2022:

• Fifty-five (55) percent (8,199) of identity crime cases were related to compromised credentials, 40 percent (5,961) reported cases were due to misuse of credentials, and one (1) percent (220) of reported cases were due to victims being notified about attempted but unsuccessful misuse of their credentials.
• Identity misuse was primarily due to account takeover or new account creation in 2022. Forty-six (46) percent of non-governmental and non-financial accounts were misused, with social media accounts making up 72 percent of non-governmental/financial account abuse.
• Most reported identity misuse was due to existing account takeover (61 percent – 3,637 victims). Second to existing account takeover in 2022 was misuse related to new account creation (32 percent – 1,889 victims).
• In 2022, 80 percent of identity compromises involved using identity credentials as part of a scam, compared to 77 percent in the previous year. Sixty-one (61) percent (4,081) of people who contacted the ITRC about compromised identities were the victims of Google Voice scams.

DOWNLOAD THE 2022 TRENDS IN IDENTITY REPORT

“Our 2022 Trends in Identity Report highlights lots of changes in the identity crimes landscape,” said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “We have seen a lack of transparency in data breach notices grow, leaving us all more vulnerable to falling victim to an identity crime. Research shows that Black communities suffer more financial losses than the general population from identity crimes. However, one thing that has not changed is that there are too many victims of these crimes and too few resources to help them. The recent Presidential Planning Document released by the White House highlights the need for government agencies and nonprofits like the ITRC to work together to help victims who don’t know what to do next. We look forward to working with our nation’s leaders to bring the vision of improved services for identity crime victims to reality.”

“We are honored to sponsor the 2022 Trends in Identity Report for the Identity Theft Resource Center,” said Scott Hermann, CEO of IDIQ® and its IdentittyIQ brand. “As scammers, criminals and thieves continue to find new ways to steal personal information, this partnership is an opportunity for our organizations to join together in our shared mission of educating and protecting consumers and their identities.”

The ITRC identified the following trends in 2022:

• Identity thieves are improving social engineering techniques to convince people to share personal and business information. Attackers found success in pretending to be a new or existing personal relationship to takeover a victim’s friends’ social media account.
• Thieves aren’t just collecting information through data compromises; they’re increasingly misusing data in new ways. While social media accounts were the primary type of account compromised in the past year, ~30 percent of existing account takeover and 62 percent of new account creation were reported as impacting financial accounts, primarily bank and credit card accounts.
• Identity criminals are targeting Driver’s License accounts. In 2021, DMV accounts made up four (4) percent of government accounts that were misused or taken over. The number increased to 15 percent in 2022.

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.

Disclaimer: The Identity Theft Resource Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit that does not endorse any particular company, product or service.

About IDIQ

IDIQ^® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in identity theft protection and credit report monitoring. With the flagship IdentityIQ^® brand, the company delivers real-time alerts and credit report information to not only protect but also educate consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.

Media Contact   

Identity Theft Resource Center   
Alex Achten   
Director of Communications & Media Relations   
888.400.5530 Ext. 3611   
[email protected]

IDIQ  
Kristin Austin   
Public Relations   
951.397.7595  
[email protected]