Victims of identity theft: Who is targeted and why

Identity theft affects people across every demographic, but the way criminals target victims — and the consequences victims face — can vary considerably by age, finances, and circumstances.

Children, for example, can be attractive targets because misuse of their identity may remain undiscovered for years. Seniors and military members face scams tailored to their circumstances, while working-age adults account for a large share of reported cases.

The scale of the problem is significant: LifeLock research found that roughly one in four tax-paying Americans have experienced identity theft.

Below, we break down the risks facing different groups, why those vulnerabilities exist, and the practical steps that can help reduce them.

Who are the most common victims of identity theft?

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network data, adults ages 30 to 39 reported the highest number of identity theft cases, followed by those ages 40 to 49. These groups often have active credit profiles, numerous online accounts, and significant financial activity, creating more opportunities for their information to be exposed or misused.

But reported case numbers tell only part of the story. Children, seniors, and military members face distinct risks based on how their personal information is stored, shared, and used. A child’s Social Security number, for example, could be misused for years before anyone notices, while older adults may be targeted by scams that exploit trust, authority, or urgency.

Risk also depends on more than age. Your online habits — particularly how much personal information you make publicly available — can increase your exposure and give identity thieves more material to work with.

Below, we examine which groups face elevated risks, the factors driving those risks, and how identity theft can affect them differently.

Children

Children can be particularly appealing targets for identity theft because they have Social Security numbers and no credit history. Thieves can open fraudulent accounts and rack up debt in the child’s name that can go unnoticed for years. Victims of child identity theft may not even realize it until they reach adulthood and try to apply for credit cards or put bills in their own names.

In fact, studies estimate that one in every fifth child falls victim to identity theft. And, worse still, child identity theft also happens at the hands of people the child trusts, like their parents and close family friends, who have easy access to the child’s personal information. Of U.S. households with child victims of identity fraud in 2022, 67% knew the thief personally.

Warning signs of child identity theft include:

• Pre-approved credit card or loan offers addressed to the child.
• Government benefits being denied because they’re already being claimed under the child’s identity.
• Medical or overdue bills in the child’s name.
• IRS notices related to taxes or income connected to the child.
• A credit report or credit score associated with the child.

Seniors

Seniors are attractive targets for identity thieves. According to an Innovation in Aging study from 2020, 1 in 10 seniors experienced identity theft the previous year, and people 75 and older experienced the most substantial financial losses per incident.

Scammers know many seniors have established credit, retirement savings, and trust in institutions. They also know that fear works. A sudden call about a “Social Security problem” or a loved one in trouble can create enough urgency to override hesitation.

In elderly scams, cybercriminals often pose as government officials, tech support agents, loved ones, or financial institutions and ask for sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or account credentials. Once that information is shared, identity theft can unfold quickly.

In 2025, five people were sentenced for fraud and identity theft targeting retired school employees in Florida. The scheme involved access to victims’ personally identifiable information and resulted in $1.1 million being stolen from 401(k) accounts.

Warning signs of elderly identity theft include:

• Unexpected bills or collection notices for accounts they didn’t open.
• Unexplained withdrawals or charges from bank accounts or credit cards.
• Missing mail, including bills, bank statements, or government notices.
• Sudden changes to credit scores or credit reports.
• Unfamiliar medical bills or insurance statements.
• Notifications of accounts or benefits being opened in their name.

Military members

Active-duty service members and veterans face distinct military identity theft risks because scammers can exploit their military benefits, frequent moves, deployments, and ties to trusted institutions. In 2024, military consumers reported more than 210,000 cases of fraud and identity theft.

Deployments and extended periods away from home can make it harder to monitor financial accounts, collect mail, and safeguard important documents. Fraudsters may also impersonate government agencies, benefits programs, charities, or fellow service members to exploit the military community’s trust and sense of duty.

Warning signs of military identity theft include:

• Unexpected changes or delays in military benefits, pensions, or pay.
• New accounts or benefits applications you don’t recognize.
• Unauthorized changes to VA, DFAS, or TRICARE account details, including addresses or login credentials.
• Unfamiliar transactions on military-related financial accounts.
• Missing or tampered-with military mail, including orders, pay statements, or official correspondence.
• Credit monitoring alerts for accounts or inquiries you didn’t authorize.

Social media users

Social media users may be more likely to become victims of identity theft, especially if they publicly share personally identifiable information like birthdays, employment details, and other personal information. Criminals can use these details to answer security questions, impersonate trusted people or organizations, or make a social engineering attack more convincing.

According to a recent Javelin study, child identity theft in particular is closely linked to social media use. The research found that 96% of children who became victims of identity theft were active on social media at the time their identities were compromised.

Social media also provides an open line of communication with strangers, potentially enabling identity thieves to identify and connect with victims. Criminals may use romance scams, tech support scams, impersonation, or other social engineering tactics to steal sensitive information.

Warning signs of identity theft from social media exposure include:

• Unexpected notifications about accounts, services, or benefits opened in the victim’s name.
• Suspicious messages referencing personal details posted publicly.
• Friends or followers receiving scam messages that appear to come from the victim’s account.
• Credit monitoring alerts about unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
• Unrecognized activity on accounts linked to the same email address or phone number used for social media.

Identity theft warning signs

Identity theft isn’t always immediately obvious. The first clues may be unexpected bills, unfamiliar accounts, or small transactions buried in your financial statements. Spotting these signs early can help you investigate suspicious activity before more damage is done.

Common warning signs of identity theft include:

• Bills or collection notices for accounts you didn’t open.
• Unauthorized transactions on your bank or credit card statements.
• A sudden, unexplained drop in your credit score.
• Unfamiliar accounts or hard inquiries on your credit reports.
• Unexpected loan or credit application denials.
• IRS notices about fraudulent tax returns filed in your name.
• Arrest warrants, citations, or charges connected to crimes you didn’t commit.

Any one of these signs can have an innocent explanation, but don’t ignore it. Investigate unfamiliar activity promptly and take steps to secure your identity if you confirm fraud.

What to do if your identity is stolen

Recovering from identity theft involves reporting the fraud, securing compromised accounts, contacting credit bureaus, and correcting fraudulent records. Recovery can take time, with some victims reporting that it takes months or even a year or longer to resolve the damage.

To limit your losses and start restoring your identity, take these steps as soon as you discover your identity was stolen:

1. Notify your financial institutions: If your bank or credit card information is compromised, contact the relevant institution immediately. Its fraud department can secure affected accounts, investigate unauthorized transactions, and explain your next steps.
2. Report the identity theft: File a report at IdentityTheft.gov to document the theft and receive a personalized recovery plan. Consider filing a police report if you know who stole your identity or have information that could assist an investigation.
3. Protect your credit: Contact Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® to review your credit files. Consider freezing your credit to restrict new credit applications and placing a fraud alert to encourage lenders to verify your identity.
4. Secure your online accounts: Change your passwords or PINs for affected accounts, prioritizing email, banking, and other sensitive accounts. Use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
5. Monitor your credit report: Review your reports regularly for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries, or other suspicious changes, and dispute fraudulent information promptly.
6. Monitor your financial accounts: Check bank and credit card activity regularly for unauthorized transactions and report anything suspicious as soon as possible.

Help protect yourself from identity theft

Identity theft can happen to anyone, which is why taking proactive steps to protect your identity matters. LifeLock helps monitor your personal information and credit for signs of suspicious activity, alerting you early so you can act fast to help protect your accounts and finances.

And if the worst happens, you won’t be left to deal with it alone. LifeLock’s U.S.-based restoration specialists can help guide you through recovery and get your identity back on track.

FAQs

How do federal and state governments protect victims of identity theft?

Federal and state governments provide reporting, recovery, and consumer protection measures for identity theft victims. At the federal level, IdentityTheft.gov allows victims to report identity theft and create a personalized recovery plan. States also maintain data breach notification laws that generally require organizations to notify affected consumers when certain personal information is compromised.

Are there lawyers for victims of identity theft?

Yes, lawyers who handle identity theft and consumer protection cases can help victims dispute fraudulent debts, correct credit report errors, pursue eligible financial losses, and take legal action when necessary. Depending on the case, they may also work with creditors, financial institutions, credit bureaus, and government agencies to help restore affected records and protect the victim’s rights.

What is the impact of identity theft on victims

Identity theft can cause financial losses, damaged credit, lost time, and significant emotional distress. In one 2025 survey, 25% of identity theft victims surveyed in the general population reported that they had seriously considered self-harm because of their experience, highlighting how the effects can extend well beyond finances.

Why do people commit identity theft?

Financial gain is the most common motive for identity theft. Criminals may use stolen personal information to access existing accounts, steal money, open new credit accounts, make unauthorized purchases, file fraudulent tax returns, claim benefits, or conceal other illegal activity.