Illinoisans reported the most identity theft complaints per capita in the nation during 2021, more than 21 times the complaints filed in the state with the fewest reported cases, a new study found.
The WalletHub analysis of states most vulnerable to identity theft and fraud ranked Illinois 6th worst overall in the nation for its handling of the surge in fraudsters scamming residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington claimed the top spot while Iowa boasted the lowest identity theft and fraud rates.
The study comparing states across 14 metrics, including average loss amounts, fraud arrest rates and data disposal laws. It also found Illinois had the nation’s worst identify-theft passport program, which is intended to help identity theft victims regain control of their identities, avoid mistaken arrest and dispute fraudulent credit charges.
Fraud complaints per capita and existing state legislation allowing guardians to place a freeze on minors’ credit reports also ranked among the bottom half of states considered.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans filing jobless claims nationally has soared to historic highs, placing unprecedented stress on state unemployment systems.
Read more here.
Leave a Reply