The document lists the five worst states for identity theft based on the number of reported identity theft complaints per 100,000 people to the Federal Trade Commission. Florida ranked as the worst state with 178.7 complaints per 100,000 people, an increase of 56% from the previous year. Georgia and California ranked second and third worst respectively. Southern and border states generally saw higher rates of reported identity theft.

1. 5 Worst States for
Identity Theft

2. How bad is identity theft in your state?
We took a look at the states with
the highest per capita rate of
reported identity theft based on
the Federal Trade Commission’s
annual report of consumer
complaints.
The outlook is bleak. Southern
and border states remain the most
susceptible to the crime, according
to the report.
Florida and Georgia saw an
unprecedented increase in the
number of complaints. See how
your state fared.

3. 5) Texas
COMPLAINT PER 100,000 PEOPLE
96.1
DIFFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
NO CHANGE
TOP CITIES OR AREAS
• El Paso
• Sherman-Denison
• Laredo
TOP COMPLAINT TYPE
• Government documents
and benefits fraud
(e.g., tax fraud)
• Employment-related crimes
• Phone and utilities scams

4. 4) Arizona
COMPLAINT PER 100,000 PEOPLE
98.5
DIFFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
DOWN 4%
TOP CITIES OR AREAS
• Sierra Vista
• Douglas
TOP COMPLAINT TYPE
• Employment-related fraud
• Government documents
and benefits fraud
• Phone and utilities scams

5. 3) California
COMPLAINT PER 100,000 PEOPLE
103.6
DIFFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
UP 1.2%
TOP CITIES OR AREAS
• Madera
• Fresno
• Merced
TOP COMPLAINT TYPE
• Government documents
and benefits fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Phone and utilities scams

6. 2) Georgia
COMPLAINT PER 100,000 PEOPLE
120
DIFFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
UP 24%
TOP CITIES OR AREAS
• Columbus
• Savannah
• Albany
TOP COMPLAINT TYPE
• Government documents
and benefits fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Phone and utilities scams

7. 1) Florida
COMPLAINT PER 100,000 PEOPLE
178.7
DIFFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
UP 56%
TOP CITIES OR AREAS
• Miami, Fort Lauderdale,
Pompano Beach
• Port St. Lucie
• Tampa, St. Petersburg,
Clearwater
TOP COMPLAINT TYPE
• Government documents
and benefits fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Phone and utilities scams