Identity Theft Resource Center 2025 Trends in Identity Report: Impersonation Scams Rise 148 Percent & Become Top Reported Scam
Criminals typically impersonated a general business (51 percent of impersonation scams) or a financial institution (21 percent of impersonation scams).
SAN DIEGO, June 24, 2025 – The Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, has published its fourth annual report that looks at the identity concerns reported by victims of identity theft, fraud and scams, along with individuals seeking prevention advice. The ITRC’s 2025 Trends in Identity Report is supported by the ITRC’s Alliance for Identity Resilience.
In the report, the ITRC outlines the identity crimes reported to the ITRC from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, and how criminals convinced people to willingly share information, as well as how stolen information was used to open new accounts and evade law enforcement. The report also outlines the concerns of people seeking preventative information.
According to the 2025 Trends in Identity Report, the ITRC saw a 31-percentage-point decrease in reported identity crimes (compromise, theft and misuse) compared to the previous year. However, the number of people experiencing multiple identity-related concerns increased year-over-year from 15 percent to 24 percent. Of those who contacted the ITRC, 52 percent reported misuse of their personal information, and 35 percent reported personal information compromise.
Download the ITRC’s 2025 Trends in Identity Report
Most reports of misuse involved account takeover (53 percent) and new account creation using an individual’s personal information (36 percent). Victims also reported attempted misuse of their identity credentials. Thieves tried to open a new account (69 percent) more often than attempting to take over an existing account (31 percent). Attempted misuse largely involved financial accounts (85 percent), specifically credit card accounts (56 percent) and checking accounts (14 percent).
There was a 754-percentage-point increase in reports of account takeover involving tech accounts and a 47-percentage-point increase in reports of account takeover involving person-to-person payment apps. The number of fraudulent new property leases and rentals reported rose 102 percentage points, and reports of fraudulent federal student loans increased 111 percentage points.
The top methods of identity compromise reported to the ITRC were due to personally identifiable information (PII) being shared in a scam, stolen documents with personal information and unauthorized access to a computer or mobile device. There was a 41-percentage-point decrease in victims reporting their PII was shared in a scam. However, there was an overall increase in other reported compromises, including a 71-percentage-point rise in reports of stolen documents with personal information.
Individuals who reported stolen documents with personal information primarily reported stolen driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, payment cards, birth certificates and phones or tablets. Reports of stolen birth certificates spiked 612 percentage points.
The ITRC also reported the following:
- Impersonation scams were the top reported type of scam to the ITRC, a 148-percentage-point increase year-over-year. Criminals typically impersonated a general business (51 percent of impersonation scams) or a financial institution (21 percent of impersonation scams).
- New types of scams reported to the ITRC included toll road scams, which accounted for three (3) percent of all reported scams. Google Voice scams decreased by 84 percentage points and made up nine (9) percent of all scam reports while job scams dropped by 31 percentage points and totaled ten (10) percent of all scam reports.
“Our 2025 Trends in Identity Report highlights many findings for us to follow, like sharp increases in impersonation scams, stolen birth certificates and account takeover involving existing accounts,” said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “One trend that has continued is a decline in the number of victims reporting identity crimes. Fewer people are reporting instances of identity theft, fraud and scams, but there is every reason to believe it is just that – fewer reports, not fewer crimes being committed.”
“We are only at the very beginning of what artificial intelligence (AI) can do to facilitate identity and cyber crimes,” Velasquez continued. “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. The ITRC is ready to help people and businesses prevent identity crimes and recover when they happen.”
The ITRC identified the following identity trends:
- AI technology makes it easier for thieves to coerce unsuspecting victims into giving away their identity credentials.
- Identity thieves are increasingly able to access various existing accounts.
- Individuals are becoming more curious about protecting their identity.
Consumers and victims can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable live advisor by texting or 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. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.
About the Alliance for Identity Resilience
The Alliance for Identity Resilience (AIR) was established as an advisory board by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The advisory board operates within the framework of the ITRC’s mission to empower individuals and businesses through education, support and innovative strategies. The primary purpose of AIR is to advise the ITRC on matters related to identity crime. The board serves as a consultative body to foster collaborative discussions, advance thought leadership and advocacy, identify emerging challenges, offer guidance on projects and initiatives, facilitate industry collaboration, and propose holistic solutions to enhance identity protection and victim recovery services.
Media Contact
Identity Theft Resource Center
Alex Achten
Sr. Director of Communications & Media Relations
888.400.5530 Ext. 3611
[email protected]
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