Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering and guiding consumers, victims, businesses and government agencies to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime.
The ITRC provides free victim assistance and consumer education through its website, live chat and toll-free phone support. It also tracks data breaches and offers resources for both individuals and businesses to stay informed and protected, including an annual report on the previous year’s trends in identity theft and data breaches. The 2025 ITRC Consumer Impact Report was published recently, and its tone is markedly more urgent than previous years’ reports.
Learn more about the ITRC’s mission and services at IDTheftCenter.org.
Financial and emotional impacts are escalating
The 2025 Consumer Impact Report reveals a sobering reality: the harm inflicted on identity crime victims has reached crisis levels. Criminals are monetizing stolen identities at higher rates, with more victims suffering significant financial losses. In fact, more than 20 percent of victims who contacted the ITRC reported losses exceeding $100,000, and over 10 percent lost at least $1 million.
But the damage isn’t just financial. Emotional trauma is pervasive, with 83 percent of victims feeling worried or anxious, and 78 percent feeling violated. Alarmingly, 67.8 percent of general population victims reported considering self-harm as a result of their experiences — a figure that highlights the urgent need for support and intervention.
Repeat attacks: A growing threat
The report shows that criminals are increasingly targeting previous victims multiple times. Among general population victims in 2025, 31.5 percent reported being victimized twice, and 24.6 percent three times within the past year — both significant increases from 2024. This trend underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance and robust security measures.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers this list of practical steps for protecting yourself and recovering following an identity-theft incident.
Social media account takeover: The top threat
For the general public, social media account takeover has become the most commonly reported form of identity misuse, with 35 percent of victims affected in 2025. These takeovers can lead to lost income, job opportunities and even housing, as criminals use compromised accounts for scams and impersonation.
Credit-reporting agency Equifax offers this list of ways to help prevent social-media identity theft.
High-risk victims face more complex financial crimes
The report also highlights that victims who frequently seek specialized assistance are predominantly targeted for more complex and financially oriented crimes, such as fraudulent applications for loans or credit cards. Their cases are more likely to remain unresolved for months or even years, and they often require expert intervention to navigate the bureaucratic aftermath.
For steps you can take after discovering you’ve been the victim of financial fraud, check out this article from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
AI: The new battleground for identity security
Concern about artificial intelligence (AI) is high among victims, according to the ITRC report. More than two-thirds see AI as a primary battleground for identity security going forward. While general consumers are more likely to attribute their victimization to AI (correctly or not), both groups agree that future threats will be shaped by advances in technology. There’s a consensus that protecting consumers from AI-driven fraud requires a collaborative approach involving tech companies, government and individuals.
This Public Service Announcement from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation highlights the ways in which AI is helping to fuel a rise in identity theft.
Photo: metamorworks / Shutterstock
This post originally appeared on Smarter MSP.