What are the statistics on identity theft?

Identity Theft By the Numbers Consider these identity theft statistics: In 2019, 14.4 million consumers became victims of identity fraud — that’s about 1 in 15 people. Overall, 33 percent of U.S. adults have experienced identity theft, which is more than twice the global average.

What is the penalty for identity theft in Australia?

The maximum penalty for: an offence against section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code is 10 years’ imprisonment. offences against sections 135.1(1), 135.1(3) and 135.1(5) of the Criminal Code is 10 years’ imprisonment.

Which country commits the most identity theft?

Almost 64 percent of the total stolen data records occurred in the United States, whose large population, concentration of major companies, and rate of technological adoption make it the most massive “hotspot” on this map. Countries like China and India are also major centers of data breaches.

How often does identity theft occur in Australia?

Identity theft specifically occurred for around 126,000 Australians in the same period throughout 2014-15. In a slight silver lining, only 18% of victims experienced 2 or more incidents of identity fraud.

How much money has been lost due to identity theft?

Scams reported to the ACCC involving identity theft or the loss of personal/banking information have cost Australians at least $16 million this year, and this figure is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. Four in 10 Scamwatch reports in 2019 involve attempts to gain information or the actual loss of victims’ information.

Who are the victims of identity crime in Australia?

An Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) 2017 report found one in four Australians reported being a victim of identity crime at some point in their lifetimes, while 13 per cent had been victims in the past 12 months.

How much money does identity crime cost Australia?

Recent estimates by the Attorney-General’s Department indicate that identity crime costs Australia upwards of $1.6 billion each year, with the majority (around $900m) lost by individuals through credit card fraud, identity theft and scams.