The Ideal Criminal Target: No One is Immune

This report, sponsored by Equifax, explores the widespread effects of identity fraud on consumers, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, and the importance of taking advantage of fraud detection and prevention services. This report is derived from the 2022 Identity Fraud Study: The Virtual Battleground, published by Javelin Strategy & Research in March 2022. Javelin Strategy & Research maintains complete independence in its data collection, findings, and analysis.

Consumers of all kinds are ideal targets for cybercriminals. As losses from traditional identity fraud and identity fraud scams increase, consumers cannot let down their guards for a moment, because all it takes is that one moment for a criminal to steal an unsuspecting consumer’s identity. Criminals are constantly refining their tactics to capitalize on exploiting as many consumers as they can, leaving no one behind. Factors such as age, income, and education level do not concern a cybercriminal who is selecting the next target for identity fraud. No one is off-limits. 

Consumers must be equipped with tools and education to safeguard their identities from the criminals who are launching constant attacks. Moreover, organizations must provide services and amenities that assist with identity protection and remove the sole responsibility for preventing identity fraud from consumers. Layering comprehensive education with innovative technology will aid in mitigating the threat of identity fraud.