FLORIDA RANKS NO. 1 FOR IDENTITY THEFT

IDENTITY THEFT STATISTICS SAY FLORIDA RESIDENTS AT HIGH RISK FOR FRAUD

Florida ranks number 1 for identity theft.  According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel database, Florida has the highest percentage of identity theft for all US states.  The Sentinel stats are based on fraud and identity theft complaints made to the  FTC. 

In 2011, the FTC received almost 36,000 complaints of fraud or identity theft in Florida.  For Floridians, over 178 residents per 100,000 were a victim of fraud or identity theft.  This stat makes Florida the number state for identity theft.   Here are the identity theft statistics for:

1. Miami – ranks no. 1 as the most number of complaints about identity theft 324.1 per 100,000 people!

2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater region finished seventh on the list – 156.2 complaints per 100,000 people.

3.  Orlando – ranked 12th 147.1 complaints per 100,000 people.

Other Florida cities ranked in the top 50 – Lakeland (14th), Tallahassee (20th), Ocala (26th), Vero Beach (43rd) and Fort Myers (49th). Closely behind Florida is Arizona, California, Georgia and Texas.  These states make up the top 5 list for identity theft and fraud in 2011. 

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, victims of identity theft have rights under federal law.  Consumers have the right to place a fraud alert on their credit file with Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  Consumer also have the right to order a free credit report when they have a good faith belief that they are a victim of fraud or identity theft.  That means you do not have to pay for your credit report if you are a victim of identity theft!  Identity theft victims should click HERE for more information about their rights under federal law. 

Click HERE to download the Sentinel 2011 Report.  If you have been a victim of identity theft you can file a complaint with the FTC.  You can contact identity theft prosecutor Micah Adkins for a free case review 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091. 

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