FTC Reports ID Theft Up (Again) in 2011

ID Theft to collect government benefits up 11%

According to the FTC, for the 12th year in a row, Identity Theft was the number one consumer complaint in 2011. This follows trends reported by Javelin Strategy in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Since 2001, the number of identity theft complaints has risen every year except one.

In 2011, a 27% majority of ID theft complaints came from people reporting that their personal information was stolen and used in government documents (i.e. to collect government benefits). Such complaints have increased by 11% since 2009.

Florida continues to lead the US in highest per capita reported identity theft, followed by Georgia and California.

Sources:

• “Identity thefts tops list of consumer complaints” (CNN Money)
• “FTC: ID theft again tops consumer concerns” (PC Advisor)