TABLE OF CONTENTS

Federal Trade Commission Page 1 of 103 Released February 2012

Report Subject Page No. 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Type Percentages by Calendar Year . . . . . . . . 4

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Count by Calendar Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints

Total Number of Fraud Complaints & Amount Paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Method of Consumer Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Company’s Method of Contacting Consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Fraud Complaints by Consumer Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Top Company Countries and Foreign Company’s Method of Contacting Consumers . . . . 11

Consumer Sentinel Network Identity Theft Complaints 

How Identity Theft Victims’ Information Is Misused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Law Enforcement Contact by Identity Theft Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Identity Theft Complaints by Victims’ Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Consumer Sentinel Network State and Metropolitan Areas Ranking

State Complaint Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Largest Metropolitan Areas Ranking for Fraud & Other Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Largest Metropolitan Areas Ranking for Identity Theft Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Consumer Sentinel Network Military Complaints 

Military Complaints by Branch and Pay Grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Military Complaints by Military Status and Top Duty Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Military Complaints by Top Complaint Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

How Military Identity Theft Victims’ Information Is Misused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Consumer Sentinel Network Detailed State Complaint Information

One page per State and the District of Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

-Top Fraud & Other Complaint Categories || Identity Theft Types Reported by Victims

Appendices

Appendix A1: Description of the Consumer Sentinel Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Appendix A2: Major Data Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Appendix A3: Data Contributor Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Appendix A4: Better Business Bureau Data Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Appendix B1: Complaint Category Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Appendix B2: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories (2009 – 2011). . . . . . 80

Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Appendix C: Fraud Complaints & Amount Paid Reported by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Complaints by Largest Metropolitan Areas . . . . . . . . . . 88

Appendix D2: Identity Theft Complaints by Largest Metropolitan Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
The Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) is a secure online database of

millions of consumer complaints available only to law enforcement. In

addition to storing complaints received by the FTC, the CSN also includes

complaints filed with state organizations such as the Minnesota

Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice,

the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the

Attorneys General for Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and

Washington. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection

Service and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, contribute data as

well. The Commission also receives complaints from the Canadian AntiFraud Centre. Non-governmental organizations also voluntarily provide

complaint data to the FTC. The Council of Better Business Bureaus,

consisting of all North American BBBs, is a major contributor of

complaint data. Other organizations include the following: Catalog

Choice, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Identity Theft

Assistance Center, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,

MoneyGram International, the National Fraud Information Center,

PrivacyStar, and Western Union.

Law enforcement partners --- whether they are down the street, across the

nation, or around the world --- can use information in the database to

enhance and coordinate investigations.

Begun in 1997 to collect fraud and identity theft complaints, the CSN now

has more than 7 million complaints, including those about credit reports,

debt collection, mortgages, and lending, among other subjects. The CSN

has a five-year data retention policy; complaints older than five years are

purged biannually. Between January and December 2011, the CSN

received more than 1.8 million consumer complaints, which the FTC has

sorted into 30 complaint categories. Some organizations transfer their

complaints to the CSN after the end of the calendar year, and as a result,

the total number of complaints for 2011 will increase during the next few

months. For the same reason, totals from previous years may differ from

prior CSN annual reports.

The 2011 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book is based on unverified

complaints reported by consumers. The data is not based on a consumer

survey.

For more information about the Consumer Sentinel Network, visit

www.FTC.gov/sentinel. Law enforcement personnel may join CSN at

Register.ConsumerSentinel.gov.

INTRODUCTION

U.S. Postal 

Inspection Service

Internet Crime 

Better Business Bureaus Complaint Center

Leading Data Contributors

www.FTC.gov/sentinel www.econsumer.gov www.FTC.gov/sentinel/military

For a detailed description of the CSN and a complete list of our data contributors, see Appendices A1 through A4.

www.FTC.gov/idtheft

Identity Theft 

Assistance Center

Canadian 

Anti-Fraud Centre Publishers Clearing 

House

Lawyers’ Committee 

for Civil Rights

Under Law

Idaho 

Attorney General

North Carolina 

Department of Justice

Ohio 

Attorney General

Washington 

Attorney General

Michigan 

Attorney General

Tennessee Division 

of Consumer Affairs

Oregon 

Department of Justice

Federal Trade Commission Page 2 of 103 Released February 2012
Federal Trade Commission Page 3 of 103 Released February 2012

Executive Summary 

Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book

January – December 2011

 The Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) contains over 7 million complaints dating from calendar year 2007 

through calendar year 2011. There are over 9 million do-not-call complaints from this same time period.

 The CSN received over 1.8 million complaints during calendar year 2011: 55% fraud complaints; 15% 

identity theft complaints; and 30% other types of complaints.

 Identity theft was the number one complaint category in the CSN for calendar year 2011 with 15% of the 

overall complaints, followed by Debt Collection (10%); Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries (6%); Shop-atHome and Catalog Sales (5%); Banks and Lenders (5% ); Internet Services (5%); Auto Related Complaints 

(4%); Impostor Scams (4%); Telephone and Mobile Services (4%); and Advance-Fee Loans and Credit 

Protection/Repair (3%). The complete ranking of all thirty complaint categories is listed on page six of this 

report. 

 For military consumers, Identity Theft was the number one complaint category in the CSN, followed by Debt 

Collection at number two. Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management ranked as the fourth highest 

category for military members, in contrast to thirteenth highest for the population as a whole. 

Fraud

 A total of 990,242 CSN 2011 complaints were fraud-related. Consumers reported paying over $1.5 billion in 

those fraud complaints; the median amount paid was $537. Sixty-eight percent of the consumers who reported 

a fraud-related complaint also reported an amount paid.

 Sixty percent of all fraud-related complaints reported the method of initial contact. Of those complaints, 43% 

said email, while another 13% said an Internet website. Only 7% of those consumers reported mail as the 

initial point of contact. 

 Colorado is the state with the highest per capita rate of reported fraud and other types of complaints, followed 

by Delaware and Maryland.

Identity Theft 

 Government documents/benefits fraud (27%) was the most common form of reported identity theft, followed 

by credit card fraud (14%), phone or utilities fraud (13%), and bank fraud (9%). Other significant categories 

of identity theft reported by victims were employment fraud (8%) and loan fraud (3%). 

 Complaints about government documents/benefits fraud increased 11 percentage points since calendar year 

2009; identity theft-related credit card fraud complaints, on the other hand, declined 3 percentage points since 

calendar year 2009.

 Forty-five percent of identity theft complainants reported whether they contacted law enforcement. Of those 

victims, 70% notified a police department. Fifty-seven percent indicated a report was taken. 

 Florida is the state with the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints, followed by Georgia 

and California.
CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Type Percentages1

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of Consumer Sentinel Network complaints by calendar year. 

1,419,030 1,460,368

1,813,080

31%

49%

56%

55%

27%

30%

15%

17% 20%

Federal Trade Commission Page 4 of 103 Released February 2012

- Identity Theft Complaints

- Fraud Complaints

- Other Complaints 

Complaint Types
1,813,080

1,419,030

1,070,447

909,314

713,657

325,519

551,622

1,259,888

906,129

860,383

1,460,368

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

CY-2001

CY-2002

CY-2003

CY-2004

CY-2005

CY-2006

CY-2007

CY-2008

CY-2009

CY-2010

CY-2011

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Count1

Calendar Years 2001 through 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 5 of 103 Released February 2012

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Type Count1

Calendar Years 2001 through 2011

Purged Data1

1 Complaint counts from CY-2001 to CY-2006 represent historic figures as per the Consumer Sentinel Network’s five-year 

data retention policy. These complaint figures exclude National Do Not Call Registry complaints. 

Fraud Identity Theft Other 

2001 137,306 86,250 101,963 325,519

2002 242,783 161,977 146,862 551,622

2003 331,366 215,240 167,051 713,657

2004 410,298 246,909 203,176 860,383

2005 437,585 255,687 216,042 909,314

2006 423,672 246,214 236,243 906,129

2007 505,563 259,314 305,570 1,070,447

2008 620,218 314,594 325,076 1,259,888

2009 703,871 278,385 436,774 1,419,030

2010 815,054 251,105 394,209 1,460,368

2011 990,242 279,156 543,682 1,813,080

Calendar Year

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Count

Total Complaints
1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints (1,813,080) received by the FTC between January 1 and 

December 31, 2011. Ten percent (187,442) of the total CSN complaints received by the FTC were coded Other (Note in 

Comments). For CSN category descriptions, details and three year figures, see Appendices B1 through B3.

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Categories1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 6 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Category

No. of 

Complaints Percentages1 

1 Identity Theft 279,156 15%

2 Debt Collection 180,928 10%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 100,208 6%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 98,306 5%

5 Banks and Lenders 89,341 5%

6 Internet Services 81,805 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 77,435 4%

8 Impostor Scams 73,281 4%

9 Telephone and Mobile Services 70,024 4%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 47,414 3%

11 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 43,101 2%

12 Health Care 38,246 2%

13 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 38,140 2%

14 Credit Cards 37,932 2%

15 Television and Electronic Media 37,404 2%

16 Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-at-Home Plans 36,111 2%

17 Internet Auction 35,926 2%

18 Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans 32,736 2%

19 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users 30,203 2%

20 Magazines and Books 21,636 1%

21 Office Supplies and Services 15,917 1%

22 Computer Equipment and Software 13,435 1%

23 Home Repair, Improvement and Products 13,020 1%

24 Grants 12,823 1%

25 Real Estate 8,763 <1%

26 Investment Related Complaints 7,657 <1%

27 Charitable Solicitations 3,474 <1%

28 Clothing, Textiles and Jewelry 3,358 <1%

29 Education 3,164 <1%

30 Buyers' Clubs 2,660 <1%
1Average is based on the total number of consumers who reported an amount paid for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 582,281; 

CY-2010 = 656,681; and CY-2011 = 670,153. Three consumers reported an amount paid of $1 million or more during 

CY-2011; 115 and 11 consumers for CY-2009 and CY-2010, respectively.

2Median is the middle number in a set of numbers so that half the numbers have values that are greater than the median and 

half have values that are less. Calculation of the median excludes complaints with amount paid reported as $0.

Note: See Appendix C for fraud complaints and amount paid figures by State and the District of Columbia.

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Total Number of Fraud Complaints & Amount Paid

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network 

Distribution of Fraud Complaints by Amount Paid 

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

3Percentages are based on the total number of consumers who reported amount paid for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 582,281; 

CY-2010 = 656,681; and CY-2011 = 670,153. 

Amount Paid

$0 334,658 57% 367,582 56% 340,293 51%

$1 - 25 15,287 3% 15,756 2% 15,254 2%

$26 - 50 16,283 3% 17,034 3% 18,675 3%

$51 - 75 12,360 2% 11,835 2% 13,065 2%

$76 - 100 16,514 3% 14,757 2% 17,039 3%

$101 - 250 34,573 6% 42,339 6% 51,399 8%

$251 - 500 28,063 5% 36,580 6% 45,799 7%

$501 - 1,000 28,042 5% 35,583 5% 44,715 7%

$1,001 - 5,000 70,936 12% 85,702 13% 94,779 14%

More than $5,000 25,565 4% 29,513 4% 29,135 4%

Complaints Percentages3

CY - 2011

Percentages3 Complaints Percentages3

CY - 2009

Complaints

CY - 2010

Federal Trade Commission Page 7 of 103 Released February 2012

Total 

Reporting 

Amount Paid Reported Average1 Median2

2009 703,871 582,281 83% $1,724,251,138 $2,961 $511

2010 815,054 656,681 81% $1,813,661,628 $2,762 $580

2011 990,242 670,153 68% $1,519,131,182 $2,267 $537

CY

Complaint Count

Percentage Reporting

Amount Paid

Amount Paid
1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud complaints for each calendar year where consumers reported the method of payment: 

CY-2009 = 83,804; CY-2010 = 112,401; and CY-2011 = 254,484. 26% of the consumers reported this information during CY-2011, 12% and 

14% for CY-2009 and CY-2010, respectively. 

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints 

by Method of Consumer Payment1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints 

by Method of Consumer Payment 

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

13%

7% 7% 6%

1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Bank

Account

Debit

Cash/Cash

Advance

Check Credit

Cards

Money

Order

Telephone

Bill

Wire

Transfer

16%

50%

Complaints Percentages1 Amount Paid Complaints Percentages1 Amount Paid Complaints Percentages1 Amount Paid

Bank Account Debit 16,662 20% $46,481,578 15,991 14% $37,460,088 33,508 13% $89,170,561

Cash/Cash Advance 2,827 3% $10,181,377 4,280 4% $33,186,656 17,386 7% $153,078,057

Check 8,875 11% $183,261,838 9,561 9% $64,318,436 18,254 7% $92,708,030

Credit Cards 31,750 38% $71,469,727 28,203 25% $65,163,302 41,177 16% $127,879,918

Money Order 2,661 3% $8,994,520 2,866 3% $11,177,739 15,053 6% $54,298,481

Telephone Bill 3,862 5% $848,246 4,745 4% $1,109,499 2,203 1% $471,578

Wire Transfer 17,167 20% $119,969,934 46,755 42% $168,465,463 126,903 50% $442,497,766

83,804 $441,207,220 112,401 $380,881,184 254,484 $960,104,391

Payment Method

Total Reporting Payment 

Method

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 8 of 103 Released February 2012

2These figures include a significant number of complaints from data contributors MoneyGram International and Western Union Money Transfer, 

which may affect the distribution of the reported method of payment.

2

2
1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud complaints for each calendar year where consumers reported the 

company’s method of initial contact: CY-2009 = 474,433; CY-2010 = 468,619; and CY-2011 = 593,495. 60% of consumers 

reported this information during CY-2011, 67% and 57% for CY-2009 and CY-2010, respectively.

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints by 

Company’s Method of Contacting Consumers

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

43%

7%

13%

29%

8%

E-mail

Mail

Internet - Web

Site/Others

Phone

Other

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints 

by Company’s Method of Contacting Consumers1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Contact Method Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 

E-mail 202,644 43% 202,147 43% 253,059 43%

Mail 60,922 13% 49,733 11% 42,909 7%

Internet - Web Site/Others 57,658 12% 53,152 11% 76,894 13%

Phone 80,110 17% 94,262 20% 170,774 29%

Other 73,099 15% 69,325 15% 49,859 8%

Total Reporting Contact 

Method 474,433 468,619 593,495

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 9 of 103 Released February 2012
2%

15%

17%

20%

23%

15%

7%

19 and Under

20 - 29

30 - 39

40 - 49

50 - 59

60 - 69

70 and Over

1Percentages are based on the total number of consumers reporting their age for CSN fraud complaints each calendar year: 

CY-2009 = 429,035; CY-2010 = 468,935; and CY-2011 = 478,650. 48% of consumers reported this information during 

CY-2011, 61% and 58% for CY-2009 and CY-2010, respectively.

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints

by Consumer Age1

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints 

by Consumer Age1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 

19 and Under 3,169 1% 3,143 1% 11,423 2%

20-29 76,294 18% 80,852 17% 73,877 15%

30-39 88,804 21% 92,634 20% 82,723 17%

40-49 103,124 24% 109,567 23% 96,172 20%

50-59 105,062 24% 114,703 24% 108,091 23%

60-69 26,986 6% 31,545 7% 70,678 15%

70 and Over 25,596 6% 36,491 8% 35,686 7%

429,035 468,935 478,650

Consumer Age 

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011

Total Reporting 

Age

Federal Trade Commission Page 10 of 103 Released February 2012
Consumer Sentinel Network

Top 10 Reported Company Countries 

for Fraud Complaints1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 11 of 103 Released February 2012

Company’s Method of Contacting Consumers for 

Fraud Complaints Against Foreign Companies2

January 1 – December 31, 2011

2Percentages are based on the 75,940 fraud complaints against foreign companies received by the FTC between January 1 and 

December 31, 2011 where consumers reported how companies initially contacted them. We excluded complaints where 

consumers reported United States as the company country name from these figures.

1Percentages are based on the number of fraud complaints received by the FTC between January 1 and December 31, 2011 

where consumers reported a company country name (708,948) . Seventy-two percent of the total CSN fraud complaints 

received by the FTC during this time period reported the company country name. 

Note: Company country names appear as reported by consumers and may not reflect where the company is actually located. 

Contact Method Complaints Percentages2 

E-mail 39,177 52%

Phone 13,263 17%

Internet - Web Site/Others 12,011 16%

Mail 7,676 10%

Other 3,813 5%

Rank Company Country Complaints Percentages1

1 United States 564,690 80%

2 Canada 29,461 4%

3 United Kingdom 25,503 4%

4 Nigeria 15,284 2%

5 Jamaica 12,785 2%

6 India 10,697 2%

7 Spain 5,917 1%

8 China 5,813 1%

9 Mexico 4,080 1%

10 Ghana 3,040 <1%
Consumer Sentinel Network Identity Theft Complaints 

How Victims’ Information is Misused1

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN identity theft complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 278,385; 

CY-2010 = 251,105; and CY-2011 = 279,156. Note that 13% of identity theft complaints included more than one type of identity theft 

in CY-2011; and 12% in CY-2010 and CY-2009.

2Theft Subtype “Data Breach” was added to the database in CY-2011.

Attempted Identity Theft

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Attempted Identity Theft 6% 7% 7%

Employment-Related Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Employment-Related Fraud 13% 11% 8%

Loan Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Business / Personal / 

 Student Loan 1.8% 1.7% 1.4%

Auto Loan / Lease 1.2% 1.0% 0.9%

Real Estate Loan 1.1% 1.0% 0.8%

Total 4% 4% 3%

Other Identity Theft

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Miscellaneous 8.3% 7.6% 8.5%

Uncertain 9.0% 8.6% 8.1%

Data Breach2 - - 1.7%

Internet / Email 1.2% 1.9% 1.6%

Evading the Law 1.4% 1.5% 1.2%

Medical 1.3% 1.3% 1.0%

Apartment or House Rented 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

Insurance 0.3% 0.3% 0.3%

Securities / Other Investments 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Property Rental Fraud 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Child Support 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

Magazines 0.2% 0.1% 0.1%

Bankruptcy 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

Total 23% 22% 23%

Government Documents or Benefits Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Tax or Wage Related Fraud 12.7% 15.6% 24.1%

Government Benefits 

 Applied For/Received 1.7% 1.8% 1.5%

Other Government Documents 

 Issued/Forged 1.1% 0.9% 0.8%

Driver's License Issued/Forged 0.9% 0.9% 0.8%

Total 16% 19% 27%

Phone or Utilities Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Utilities - New Accounts 8.3% 9.4% 8.7%

Wireless - New Accounts 4.6% 3.7% 3.1%

Telephone - New Accounts 2.0% 1.5% 1.0%

Unauthorized Charges 

 to Existing Accounts 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%

Total 15% 14% 13%

Credit Card Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

New Accounts 10.2% 9.0% 8.4%

Existing Account 7.0% 6.7% 5.8%

Total 17% 15% 14%

Bank Fraud

Percentages Percentages Percentages

Theft Subtype CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Electronic Fund Transfer 4.4% 4.8% 3.8%

New Accounts 3.1% 3.2% 2.6%

Existing Accounts 3.1% 2.8% 2.3%

Total 10% 10% 9%

Federal Trade Commission Page 12 of 103 Released February 2012
57% of Victims 

Notified a 

Police Department 

and a Report 

Was Taken

6% of Victims 

Notified a 

Police Department 

and a Report 

Was NOT Taken

7% of Victims Notified a 

Police Department and 

Did Not Indicate if a 

Report Was Taken 

30% of Victims 

Did Not Notify a

Police Department

Consumer Sentinel Network Identity Theft Complaints 

Law Enforcement Contact1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of identity theft complaints where victims indicated whether they had 

notified a police department (118,200). 45% of the identity theft victims who contacted the FTC directly reported 

law enforcement contact information. 

Law Enforcement Contact

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

2Percentages are based on the total number of identity theft complaints where victims indicated whether they had notified a police 

department: CY-2009 = 110,281; CY-2010 = 100,503; and CY-2011 = 118,200. 45% of identity theft victims who contacted the 

FTC directly reported law enforcement contact information in CY-2011; 42% in CY-2010 and in CY-2009.

If the victim notified a police department, 

was a report taken?

CY-2009 CY-2010 CY-2011

Complaints Percentages2 Complaints Percentages2 Complaints Percentages2

Yes 68,082 62% 62,474 62% 67,089 57%

No 8,695 8% 6,509 7% 7,588 6%

Not Reported 3,345 3% 3,297 3% 7,652 7%

Total Who Notified a Police Department 80,122 73% 72,280 72% 82,329 70%

Total Who Did Not Notify a Police Department 30,159 27% 28,223 28% 35,871 30%

Total Reporting 

Law Enforcement Contact Information 110,281 100,503 118,200

Federal Trade Commission Page 13 of 103 Released February 2012
1Percentages are based on the total number of victims reporting their age in CSN identity theft complaints for each 

calendar year: CY-2009 = 264,383; CY-2010 = 236,996; and CY-2011 = 248,538. 95% of the consumers who contacted 

the FTC reported their age in CY-2009; 94% in CY-2010; and 89% in CY-2011.

Consumer Sentinel Network Identity Theft Complaints 

by Victims’ Age1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network Identity Theft Complaints

by Victims’ Age 

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 

19 and Under 19,192 7% 18,356 8% 19,563 8%

20-29 64,415 24% 56,734 24% 56,689 23%

30-39 57,651 22% 49,486 21% 49,950 21%

40-49 50,584 19% 43,996 19% 45,230 18%

50-59 38,568 15% 35,428 15% 38,150 15%

60-69 20,254 8% 19,985 8% 23,153 9%

70 and Over 13,719 5% 13,011 5% 15,803 6%

Consumer Age

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011

Total Reporting 

Age 264,383 236,996 248,538

Federal Trade Commission Page 14 of 103 Released February 2012

8%

23%

21%

18%

15%

9%

6%

19 and Under

20 - 29

30 - 39

40 - 49

50 - 59

60 - 69

70 and Over
Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).

1Per 100,000 unit of population estimates are based on the 2010 U.S. Census (accessed January 2012 at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/). Numbers for 

the District of Columbia are: Fraud and Others = 4,736 complaints and 787.1 complaints per 100,000 population; Identity Theft = 999 victims and 166.0 victims 

per 100,000 population. 

Consumer Sentinel Network State Complaint Rates

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Fraud & Other Complaints Identity Theft Complaints

Rank Consumer State

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population1

1 Colorado 573.7 28,854

2 Delaware 552.2 4,958

3 Maryland 547.0 31,581

4 Nevada 530.3 14,320

5 Virginia 527.0 42,165

6 Florida 515.1 96,854

7 Arizona 503.7 32,195

8 Washington 473.4 31,832

9 Ohio 472.4 54,493

10 New Jersey 452.0 39,737

11 New Hampshire 451.8 5,948

12 Missouri 448.5 26,863

13 Georgia 447.9 43,395

14 Alaska 440.7 3,130

15 Idaho 433.2 6,790

16 South Carolina 426.3 19,720

17 Pennsylvania 425.3 54,027

18 Tennessee 425.3 26,987

19 Oregon 423.1 16,208

20 California 418.7 155,986

21 Hawaii 418.7 5,695

22 Illinois 407.4 52,278

23 Montana 406.3 4,020

24 Texas 406.1 102,107

25 Connecticut 404.2 14,447

26 Alabama 403.9 19,304

27 Wyoming 403.8 2,276

28 Massachusetts 400.8 26,245

29 Wisconsin 399.8 22,736

30 North Carolina 399.2 38,063

31 Louisiana 397.1 18,000

32 Utah 394.2 10,895

33 Kansas 393.4 11,225

34 Indiana 390.1 25,296

35 New Mexico 389.6 8,023

36 New York 387.9 75,163

37 Rhode Island 380.4 4,004

38 Michigan 374.4 37,007

39 Nebraska 373.6 6,824

40 Vermont 372.0 2,328

41 Minnesota 371.0 19,679

42 Kentucky 369.9 16,053

43 Oklahoma 359.4 13,481

44 Arkansas 353.7 10,314

45 Maine 345.5 4,589

46 Mississippi 323.4 9,595

47 West Virginia 323.1 5,987

48 Iowa 315.5 9,611

49 South Dakota 296.6 2,415

50 North Dakota 257.5 1,732

Complaints Rank Victim State

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population1

1 Florida 178.7 33,595

2 Georgia 120.0 11,625

3 California 103.6 38,607

4 Arizona 98.5 6,296

5 Texas 96.1 24,162

6 New York 92.3 17,880

7 Nevada 89.9 2,427

8 New Jersey 86.4 7,599

9 Maryland 86.3 4,980

10 Delaware 83.5 750

11 Colorado 82.6 4,156

12 Alabama 82.5 3,942

13 Michigan 82.1 8,119

14 Illinois 80.8 10,361

15 Pennsylvania 79.2 10,061

16 New Mexico 78.2 1,610

17 Mississippi 74.5 2,210

18 Washington 72.2 4,853

19 Missouri 71.5 4,282

20 South Carolina 68.5 3,168

21 Virginia 67.7 5,416

22 Connecticut 67.5 2,413

23 Tennessee 67.4 4,275

24 Kansas 67.1 1,914

25 North Carolina 65.9 6,287

26 Ohio 64.8 7,479

27 Louisiana 64.7 2,934

28 Arkansas 63.9 1,862

29 Massachusetts 63.0 4,128

30 Rhode Island 58.3 614

31 Oregon 58.1 2,226

32 Oklahoma 56.4 2,115

33 Indiana 54.8 3,555

34 Utah 54.8 1,514

35 Minnesota 50.4 2,671

36 Wyoming 49.7 280

37 Wisconsin 48.9 2,782

38 Nebraska 47.6 869

39 New Hampshire 46.9 617

40 Alaska 44.5 316

41 Kentucky 43.6 1,891

42 Hawaii 42.9 583

43 Idaho 42.0 658

44 Vermont 41.4 259

45 Iowa 39.7 1,208

46 West Virginia 39.4 731

47 Montana 39.4 390

48 Maine 37.9 503

49 South Dakota 25.3 206

50 North Dakota 23.2 156

Complaints

Federal Trade Commission Page 15 of 103 Released February 2012
Consumer Sentinel Network 

Largest Metropolitan Areas Ranking for 

Fraud and Other – Related Consumer Complaints1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Ranking is based on the number of fraud and other types of complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. This chart illustrates the top 50 

Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. See fraud and other types of 

complaints figures for all Metropolitan Areas with a population of 100,000 or more in Appendix D1. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined 

by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01.

Rank Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population

1 Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,306 946.1

2 Thomasville-Lexington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,437 918.0

3 Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,495 902.2

4 Dunn, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 969 891.3

5 Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,566 884.0

6 Winchester, VA-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,041 859.0

7 Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 970 833.4

8 Gadsden, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 844 817.7

9 Sherman-Denison, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 953 803.0

10 Allegan, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 880 780.4

11 Wooster, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 875 770.6

12 Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 991 762.6

13 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,192 762.2

14 Anniston-Oxford, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 851 752.4

15 Appleton, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,619 742.6

16 Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,192 739.2

17 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,347 726.0

18 Roseburg, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area 754 724.2

19 Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,170 721.5

20 Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,218 682.8

21 Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,029 673.4

22 Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,194 662.7

23 Springfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 927 659.9

24 Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,302 657.7

25 Santa Fe, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 932 652.0

26 Durham, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,107 647.8

27 Dover, DE Metropolitan Statistical Area 977 641.7

28 East Stroudsburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,056 641.1

29 Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,223 637.1

30 Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,585 634.2

31 Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,214 629.7

32 Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 912 626.4

33 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 33,023 622.3

34 Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 913 620.9

35 Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,476 618.8

36 Denver-Aurora, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 15,234 618.0

37 Elizabethtown, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 689 617.3

38 Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 661 614.8

39 Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 894 613.6

40 Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,146 611.4

41 Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,389 607.4

42 Anderson, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,092 606.7

43 Coeur d'Alene, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 813 604.7

44 Whitewater, WI Micropolitan Statistical Area 609 604.2

45 Seaford, DE Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,104 599.1

46 Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,184 598.3

47 Gettysburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 601 596.4

48 Homosassa Springs, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area 835 595.7

49 Kingston, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,082 595.0

50 Burlington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 863 593.7

Federal Trade Commission Page 16 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Consumer Sentinel Network

Largest Metropolitan Areas Ranking for 

Identity Theft – Related Consumer Complaints1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. This chart illustrates the top 50 Metropolitan Areas 

(Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. See identity theft figures for all Metropolitan Areas with a 

population of 100,000 or more in Appendix D2. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 

and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01.

Rank Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population

1 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 17,546 324.1

2 Montgomery, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 617 168.6

3 Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 403 165.3

4 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 463 163.7

5 Dunn, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 177 162.8

6 Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 642 160.5

7 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,255 156.2

8 Madera, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 223 152.2

9 Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 492 149.4

10 Albany, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 245 149.3

11 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,787 147.5

12 Orlando-Kissimmee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,989 147.1

13 Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 261 144.9

14 Lakeland, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 819 142.5

15 Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 216 141.3

16 Macon, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 320 139.2

17 Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 179 137.5

18 El Paso, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,009 137.3

19 Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,227 136.4

20 Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 480 136.2

21 Thomasville-Lexington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 213 136.1

22 Sherman-Denison, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 159 134.0

23 Naples-Marco Island, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 421 133.3

24 Laredo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 310 133.0

25 Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 183 131.2

26 Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 424 130.5

27 Merced, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 320 130.3

28 Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,005 127.1

29 Visalia-Porterville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 533 126.4

30 Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,613 126.0

31 Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 672 125.8

32 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,091 124.7

33 Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 246 123.7

34 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 876 123.3

35 New Bern, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 147 123.1

36 Yuba City, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 199 121.2

37 Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 424 121.1

38 Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,401 120.9

39 Pine Bluff, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 122 120.2

40 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15,380 119.5

41 Napa, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 158 119.2

42 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,321 119.1

43 Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 157 119.1

44 Corpus Christi, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 491 118.5

45 Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 171 117.4

46 Goldsboro, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 133 117.1

47 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,171 116.7

48 Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Micropolitan Statistical Area 148 115.7

49 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 678 114.8

50 Warner Robins, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 149 113.7

Federal Trade Commission Page 17 of 103 Released February 2012
Consumer Sentinel Network Military Complaints 

by Consumer Military Branch1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network Military Complaints 

by Consumer Military Pay Grade2

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints from military consumers reporting their branch of 

service (17,026) between January 1 and December 31, 2011. 91% of military consumers reported this information 

during CY-2011. 

2Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints from military consumers reporting their pay grade 

(8,193) between January 1 and December 31, 2011. 44% of military consumers reported this information during CY2011. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 18 of 103 Released February 2012

Military Branch Complaints Percentages1

U.S. Army 8,174 48%

U.S. Navy 3,605 21%

U.S. Air Force 3,296 19%

U.S. Marines 1,601 9%

U.S. Coast Guard 350 2%

Total 17,026 

Military Pay Grade Complaints Percentages2

DoD Civilian 530 6%

E1-E3 1,329 16%

E4 1,678 20%

E5-E6 2,337 29%

E7-E9 1,040 13%

O1-O3 501 6%

O4-O6 582 7%

O7 and Above 67 1%

W1-W5 129 2%

Total 8,193 
Consumer Sentinel Network Military Complaints 

by Consumer Military Status1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Consumer Sentinel Network Military Complaints 

by Consumer Top Military Duty Station

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints from military consumers reporting their military status 

(17,915) between January 1 and December 31, 2011. 96% of military consumers reported this information during 

CY-2011. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 19 of 103 Released February 2012

Military Status Complaints Percentages1

Active Duty Service Member 2,372 13%

Dependent Child/Other - DoD Civilian 160 1%

Dependent Child/Other - Service Member 375 2%

Dependent Spouse - DoD Civilian 289 2%

Dependent Spouse - Service Member 1,899 11%

DoD Civilian 354 2%

Inactive Reserve/National Guard 1,041 6%

Military Retiree/Veteran 11,425 64%

Total 17,915 

Rank Military Installation Complaint Count

1 AK-ADAK NAF CS 163

2 TX-FORT HOOD 127

3 NC-FORT BRAGG 119

4 TX-FORT BLISS 93

5 CO-FORT CARSON 85

6 WA-FORT LEWIS 85

7 GA-FORT STEWART 80

8 NC-MCB CAMP LEJEUNE 80

9 KY-FORT CAMPBELL 69

10 GA-FORT BENNING 54

11 KY-FORT KNOX 54

12 MD-FORT GEORGE G MEADE 53

13 VA-NSA NORFOLK 51

14 CA-MCAS CAMP PENDLETON 40

15 TX-FORT SAM HOUSTON 40

16 OK-FORT SILL 39

17 SC-FORT JACKSON 38

18 KS-FORT RILEY 37

19 TX-LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE 37

20 CA-TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE 34
Consumer Sentinel Network Military

Complaints by Top Category1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN Military complaints (18,644) received between January 1 

and December 31, 2011. Thirteen percent of these complaints were coded in the Other category. 

Top Categories for Complaints from 

Enlisted Military Consumers 

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Top Categories for Complaints from 

Officer Military Consumers 

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 20 of 103 Released February 2012

2Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints (6,411) 

from military consumers reporting an enlisted rank received between 

January 1 and December 31, 2011. Twelve percent of these complaints 

were coded in the Other category. 

3Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints (1,283) 

from military consumers reporting an officer rank received between 

January 1 and December 31, 2011. Fourteen percent of these complaints 

were coded in the Other category. 

Rank Category Description

 Complaint 

Count Percentages 

1 Identity Theft 4,976 27%

2 Debt Collection 2,702 14%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,494 8%

4 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 1,396 7%

5 Impostor Scams 792 4%

6 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report 

Users

 691 4%

7 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 462 2%

8 Banks and Lenders 433 2%

9 Internet Services 414 2%

10 Auto Related Complaints 412 2%

11 Telephone and Mobile Services 384 2%

12 Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and 

Work-at-Home Plans

 253 1%

13 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 233 1%

14 Grants 229 1%

15 Home Repair, Improvement and Products 229 1%

16 Health Care 211 1%

17 Credit Cards 203 1%

18 Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans 180 1%

19 Television and Electronic Media 164 1%

20 Computer Equipment and Software 131 1%

1

Rank Category Description

Complaint 

Count Percentages2

1 Identity Theft 1,967 31%

2 Debt Collection 1,100 17%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 332 5%

4 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and 

Report Users

 320 5%

5 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt 

Management

 308 5%

6 Auto Related Complaints 177 3%

7 Internet Services 173 3%

8 Impostor Scams 171 3%

9 Banks and Lenders 164 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit 

Check Scams

 134 2%

Rank Category Description

Complaint 

Count Percentages3

1 Identity Theft 390 30%

2 Debt Collection 186 14%

3 Internet Services 55 4%

4 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt 

Management

 48 4%

5 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and 

Report Users

 45 4%

6 Auto Related Complaints 41 3%

7 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 38 3%

8 Banks and Lenders 33 3%

9 Telephone and Mobile Services 27 2%

10 Travel, Vacations and 

Timeshare Plans 24 2%
Consumer Sentinel Network - Military

Identity Theft Complaints 

How Victims’ Information is Misused

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Identity Theft Types / Theft Subtypes Complaints Percentages1

Credit Card Fraud 972 20%

New Accounts 827 16.6%

Existing Account 490 9.8%

Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 949 19%

Tax or Wage Related Fraud 777 15.6%

Government Benefits Applied For / Received 112 2.3%

Other Government Documents Issued / Forged 65 1.3%

Driver's License Issued or Forged 39 0.8%

Phone or Utilities Fraud 749 15%

Utilities - New Accounts 557 11.2%

Wireless - New Accounts 199 4.0%

Telephone - New Accounts 79 1.6%

Unauthorized Charges to Existing Accounts 29 0.6%

Bank Fraud 537 11%

Electronic Fund Transfer 294 5.9%

New Accounts 164 3.3%

Existing Accounts 158 3.2%

Employment 262 5%

Employment-Related Fraud 262 5%

Loan Fraud 194 4%

Business / Personal / Student Loan 108 2.2%

Auto Loan / Lease 66 1.3%

Real Estate Loan 52 1.0%

Other Identity Theft 1,166 23%

Uncertain 403 8.1%

Data Breach 323 6.5%

Miscellaneous 187 3.8%

Medical 109 2.2%

Internet or E-Mail 103 2.1%

Evading the Law 75 1.5%

Apartment or House Rented 57 1.1%

Insurance 19 0.4%

Magazines 15 0.3%

Property Rental Fraud 10 0.2%

Bankruptcy 8 0.2%

Child Support 6 0.1%

Securities / Other Investments 5 0.1%

Attempted Identity Theft 435 9%

Attempted Identity Theft 435 9%

1Percentages are based on the total number of Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) - Military identity theft complaints (4,976) received 

between January 1 and December 31, 2011. Note that 16% of CSN-Military identity theft complaints included more than one type of 

identity theft. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 21 of 103 Released February 2012
Top Fraud & Other Complaint Categories 

Consumer Sentinel Network

Detailed State Complaint Information 

(one page per State and the District of Columbia)

Fraud & Other Complaints

Identity Theft Types Reported by Victims

Identity Theft Complaints

Federal Trade Commission Page 22 of 103 Released February 2012
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Alabama Consumers = 19,304

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Alabama consumers (19,304).

ALABAMA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 23,246

Identity Theft Types Reported by Alabama Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Alabama Victims = 3,942

1Percentages are based on the 3,942 victims reporting from Alabama. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Alabama Consumers

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,723 14%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,700 9%

3 Impostor Scams 1,308 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,172 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,109 6%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,011 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 980 5%

8 Internet Services 785 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 779 4%

10 Credit Cards 675 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,404 36%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 439 11%

3 Credit Card Fraud 392 10%

4 Bank Fraud 272 7%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 195 5%

6 Loan Fraud 115 3%

Other 1,025 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 181 5%

Complaints

Federal Trade Commission Page 23 of 103 Released February 2012
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Alaska Consumers = 3,130

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Alaska consumers (3,130).

ALASKA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 3,446

Identity Theft Types Reported by Alaska Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Alaska Victims = 316

1Percentages are based on the 316 victims reporting from Alaska. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Alaska Consumers

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 307 10%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 281 9%

3 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 254 8%

4 Impostor Scams 252 8%

5 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 221 7%

6 Internet Services 188 6%

7 Banks and Lenders 141 5%

8 Credit Cards 135 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 127 4%

10 Auto Related Complaints 123 4%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 54 17%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 44 14%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 39 12%

4 Bank Fraud 26 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 24 8%

6 Loan Fraud 16 5%

Other 100 32%

Attempted Identity Theft 16 5%

Complaints

Federal Trade Commission Page 24 of 103 Released February 2012
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Arizona Consumers = 32,195

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Arizona consumers (32,195).

ARIZONA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 38,491

Identity Theft Types Reported by Arizona Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Arizona Victims = 6,296

1Percentages are based on the 6,296 victims reporting from Arizona. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Arizona Consumers

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 4,128 13%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,157 7%

3 Banks and Lenders 1,872 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 1,866 6%

5 Impostor Scams 1,717 5%

6 Internet Services 1,710 5%

7 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,704 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,414 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 972 3%

10 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report 

Users

880 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Employment-Related Fraud 1,555 25%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,113 18%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 749 12%

4 Credit Card Fraud 704 11%

5 Bank Fraud 492 8%

6 Loan Fraud 193 3%

Other 1,437 23%

Attempted Identity Theft 355 6%

Complaints

Federal Trade Commission Page 25 of 103 Released February 2012
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Arkansas Consumers = 10,314

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Arkansas consumers (10,314).

ARKANSAS 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 12,176

Identity Theft Types Reported by Arkansas Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Arkansas Victims = 1,862

1Percentages are based on the 1,862 victims reporting from Arkansas. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Arkansas Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 26 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,202 12%

2 Impostor Scams 726 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 668 6%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 644 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 497 5%

6 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 490 5%

7 Internet Services 444 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 436 4%

9 Banks and Lenders 429 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 345 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 388 21%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 316 17%

3 Credit Card Fraud 220 12%

4 Bank Fraud 146 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 146 8%

6 Loan Fraud 63 3%

Other 491 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 118 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from California Consumers = 155,986

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from California consumers (155,986).

CALIFORNIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 194,593

Identity Theft Types Reported by California Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from California Victims = 38,607

1Percentages are based on the 38,607 victims reporting from California. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by California Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 27 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 21,479 14%

2 Banks and Lenders 9,892 6%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 9,720 6%

4 Internet Services 9,383 6%

5 Impostor Scams 8,631 6%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 8,008 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 5,882 4%

8 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 5,430 3%

9 Auto Related Complaints 4,876 3%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 4,559 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 7,774 20%

2 Credit Card Fraud 6,377 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 5,004 13%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 4,488 12%

5 Bank Fraud 3,591 9%

6 Loan Fraud 1,154 3%

Other 9,367 24%

Attempted Identity Theft 2,622 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Colorado Consumers = 28,854

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Colorado consumers (28,854).

COLORADO 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 33,010

Identity Theft Types Reported by Colorado Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Colorado Victims = 4,156

1Percentages are based on the 4,156 victims reporting from Colorado. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Colorado Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 28 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 3,210 11%

2 Internet Services 1,966 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,928 7%

4 Impostor Scams 1,881 7%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,705 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 1,456 5%

7 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,327 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,176 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 1,021 4%

10 Credit Cards 931 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Employment-Related Fraud 749 18%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 661 16%

3 Credit Card Fraud 549 13%

4 Phone or Utilities Fraud 492 12%

5 Bank Fraud 338 8%

6 Loan Fraud 94 2%

Other 1,038 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 331 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Connecticut Consumers = 14,447

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Connecticut consumers (14,447).

CONNECTICUT 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 16,860

Identity Theft Types Reported by Connecticut Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Connecticut Victims = 2,413

1Percentages are based on the 2,413 victims reporting from Connecticut. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Connecticut Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 29 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,544 11%

2 Auto Related Complaints 1,006 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 957 7%

4 Banks and Lenders 839 6%

5 Impostor Scams 773 5%

6 Internet Services 765 5%

7 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 762 5%

8 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 564 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 522 4%

10 Telephone and Mobile Services 474 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 481 20%

2 Credit Card Fraud 419 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 313 13%

4 Bank Fraud 211 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 164 7%

6 Loan Fraud 63 3%

Other 599 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 216 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Delaware Consumers = 4,958

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Delaware consumers (4,958).

DELAWARE 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 5,708

Identity Theft Types Reported by Delaware Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Delaware Victims = 750

1Percentages are based on the 750 victims reporting from Delaware. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Delaware Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 30 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 808 16%

2 Banks and Lenders 351 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 280 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 279 6%

5 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 232 5%

6 Internet Services 210 4%

7 Impostor Scams 206 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 206 4%

9 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 180 4%

10 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report 

Users

147 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Phone or Utilities Fraud 158 21%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 134 18%

3 Credit Card Fraud 113 15%

4 Bank Fraud 57 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 45 6%

6 Loan Fraud 34 5%

Other 183 24%

Attempted Identity Theft 54 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from District of Columbia Consumers = 4,736

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from District of Columbia consumers (4,736).

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 5,735

Identity Theft Types Reported by District of Columbia Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from District of Columbia Victims = 999

1Percentages are based on the 999 victims reporting from District of Columbia. Note that CSN identity 

theft complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by District of Columbia Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 31 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 602 13%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 474 10%

3 Internet Services 300 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 284 6%

5 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 241 5%

6 Impostor Scams 223 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 193 4%

8 Auto Related Complaints 181 4%

9 Credit Cards 133 3%

10 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report 

Users

118 2%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 259 26%

2 Credit Card Fraud 143 14%

3 Bank Fraud 104 10%

4 Phone or Utilities Fraud 90 9%

5 Loan Fraud 44 4%

6 Employment-Related Fraud 39 4%

Other 260 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 63 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Florida Consumers = 96,854

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Florida consumers (96,854).

FLORIDA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 130,449

Identity Theft Types Reported by Florida Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Florida Victims = 33,595

1Percentages are based on the 33,595 victims reporting from Florida. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Florida Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 32 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 12,954 13%

2 Banks and Lenders 6,225 6%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 5,737 6%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 5,533 6%

5 Impostor Scams 5,480 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 5,349 6%

7 Internet Services 4,937 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 4,316 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 3,094 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 2,762 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 17,105 51%

2 Credit Card Fraud 3,412 10%

3 Bank Fraud 2,638 8%

4 Phone or Utilities Fraud 2,383 7%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 1,390 4%

6 Loan Fraud 587 2%

Other 5,576 17%

Attempted Identity Theft 1,983 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Georgia Consumers = 43,395

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Georgia consumers (43,395).

GEORGIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 55,020

Identity Theft Types Reported by Georgia Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Georgia Victims = 11,625

1Percentages are based on the 11,625 victims reporting from Georgia. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Georgia Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 33 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 5,681 13%

2 Banks and Lenders 3,801 9%

3 Auto Related Complaints 2,853 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 2,513 6%

5 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,476 6%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 2,006 5%

7 Internet Services 1,951 4%

8 Impostor Scams 1,783 4%

9 Television and Electronic Media 1,285 3%

10 Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and 

Work-at-Home Plans

1,263 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 5,311 46%

2 Credit Card Fraud 1,163 10%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,143 10%

4 Bank Fraud 803 7%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 561 5%

6 Loan Fraud 325 3%

Other 2,245 19%

Attempted Identity Theft 588 5%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Hawaii Consumers = 5,695

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Hawaii consumers (5,695).

HAWAII 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 6,278

Identity Theft Types Reported by Hawaii Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Hawaii Victims = 583

1Percentages are based on the 583 victims reporting from Hawaii. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Hawaii Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 34 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 586 10%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 377 7%

3 Internet Services 375 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 355 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 319 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 243 4%

7 Impostor Scams 237 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 227 4%

9 Internet Auction 223 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 193 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 106 18%

2 Bank Fraud 82 14%

3 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 63 11%

4 Phone or Utilities Fraud 42 7%

5 Loan Fraud 19 3%

6 Employment-Related Fraud 14 2%

Other 206 35%

Attempted Identity Theft 51 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Idaho Consumers = 6,790

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Idaho consumers (6,790).

IDAHO 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 7,448

Identity Theft Types Reported by Idaho Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Idaho Victims = 658

1Percentages are based on the 658 victims reporting from Idaho. Note that CSN identity theft complaints 

may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Idaho Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 35 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 819 12%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 513 8%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 414 6%

4 Internet Services 372 5%

5 Banks and Lenders 334 5%

6 Impostor Scams 331 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 322 5%

8 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 293 4%

9 Telephone and Mobile Services 279 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 254 4%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 99 15%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 96 15%

3 Employment-Related Fraud 85 13%

4 Credit Card Fraud 79 12%

5 Bank Fraud 48 7%

6 Loan Fraud 19 3%

Other 181 28%

Attempted Identity Theft 55 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Illinois Consumers = 52,278

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Illinois consumers (52,278).

ILLINOIS 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 62,639

Identity Theft Types Reported by Illinois Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Illinois Victims = 10,361

1Percentages are based on the 10,361 victims reporting from Illinois. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Illinois Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 36 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 5,829 11%

2 Banks and Lenders 3,770 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 3,442 7%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 3,265 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 3,211 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 2,788 5%

7 Internet Services 2,614 5%

8 Impostor Scams 2,165 4%

9 Television and Electronic Media 1,767 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 1,352 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 2,644 26%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,598 15%

3 Credit Card Fraud 1,532 15%

4 Bank Fraud 998 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 791 8%

6 Loan Fraud 381 4%

Other 2,176 21%

Attempted Identity Theft 742 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Indiana Consumers = 25,296

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Indiana consumers (25,296).

INDIANA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 28,851

Identity Theft Types Reported by Indiana Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Indiana Victims = 3,555

1Percentages are based on the 3,555 victims reporting from Indiana. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Indiana Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 37 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 3,027 12%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,987 8%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,558 6%

4 Impostor Scams 1,488 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,449 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 1,395 6%

7 Internet Services 1,248 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,011 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 931 4%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 809 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 728 20%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 581 16%

3 Credit Card Fraud 453 13%

4 Bank Fraud 322 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 251 7%

6 Loan Fraud 118 3%

Other 907 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 279 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Iowa Consumers = 9,611

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Iowa consumers (9,611).

IOWA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 10,819

Identity Theft Types Reported by Iowa Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Iowa Victims = 1,208

1Percentages are based on the 1,208 victims reporting from Iowa. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Iowa Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 38 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,101 11%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 768 8%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 533 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 471 5%

5 Impostor Scams 452 5%

6 Internet Services 443 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 415 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 349 4%

9 Television and Electronic Media 336 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 306 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 215 18%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 205 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 187 15%

4 Bank Fraud 111 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 80 7%

6 Loan Fraud 34 3%

Other 282 23%

Attempted Identity Theft 98 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Kansas Consumers = 11,225

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Kansas consumers (11,225).

KANSAS 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 13,139

Identity Theft Types Reported by Kansas Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Kansas Victims = 1,914

1Percentages are based on the 1,914 victims reporting from Kansas. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Kansas Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 39 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,571 14%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 741 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 623 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 567 5%

5 Impostor Scams 538 5%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 521 5%

7 Banks and Lenders 507 5%

8 Internet Services 461 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 435 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 356 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Bank Fraud 269 14%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 256 13%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 246 13%

4 Credit Card Fraud 234 12%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 149 8%

6 Loan Fraud 42 2%

Other 618 32%

Attempted Identity Theft 137 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Kentucky Consumers = 16,053

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Kentucky consumers (16,053).

KENTUCKY 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 17,944

Identity Theft Types Reported by Kentucky Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Kentucky Victims = 1,891

1Percentages are based on the 1,891 victims reporting from Kentucky. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Kentucky Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 40 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,160 13%

2 Auto Related Complaints 1,116 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,047 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,007 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 977 6%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 927 6%

7 Impostor Scams 841 5%

8 Internet Services 680 4%

9 Health Care 569 4%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 484 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 379 20%

2 Credit Card Fraud 297 16%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 258 14%

4 Bank Fraud 170 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 88 5%

6 Loan Fraud 60 3%

Other 505 27%

Attempted Identity Theft 134 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Louisiana Consumers = 18,000

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Louisiana consumers (18,000).

LOUISIANA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 20,934

Identity Theft Types Reported by Louisiana Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Louisiana Victims = 2,934

1Percentages are based on the 2,934 victims reporting from Louisiana. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Louisiana Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 41 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,612 15%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,627 9%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,224 7%

4 Banks and Lenders 1,008 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 833 5%

6 Impostor Scams 767 4%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 735 4%

8 Internet Services 700 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 664 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 611 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 982 33%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 379 13%

3 Credit Card Fraud 341 12%

4 Bank Fraud 243 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 180 6%

6 Loan Fraud 122 4%

Other 579 20%

Attempted Identity Theft 169 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Maine Consumers = 4,589

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Maine consumers (4,589).

MAINE 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 5,092

Identity Theft Types Reported by Maine Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Maine Victims = 503

1Percentages are based on the 503 victims reporting from Maine. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Maine Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 42 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 502 11%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 342 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 311 7%

4 Internet Services 258 6%

5 Impostor Scams 255 6%

6 Banks and Lenders 238 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 196 4%

8 Auto Related Complaints 187 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 185 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 171 4%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Phone or Utilities Fraud 80 16%

2 Credit Card Fraud 77 15%

3 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 77 15%

4 Bank Fraud 46 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 21 4%

6 Loan Fraud 20 4%

Other 139 28%

Attempted Identity Theft 45 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Maryland Consumers = 31,581

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Maryland consumers (31,581).

MARYLAND 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 36,561

Identity Theft Types Reported by Maryland Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Maryland Victims = 4,980

1Percentages are based on the 4,980 victims reporting from Maryland. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Maryland Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 43 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 4,044 13%

2 Banks and Lenders 2,161 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,887 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 1,760 6%

5 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,672 5%

6 Internet Services 1,614 5%

7 Impostor Scams 1,467 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,413 4%

9 Credit Cards 1,287 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 990 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 911 18%

2 Credit Card Fraud 891 18%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 603 12%

4 Bank Fraud 530 11%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 306 6%

6 Loan Fraud 163 3%

Other 1,259 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 446 9%

Complaints
1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Massachusetts consumers (26,245).

MASSACHUSETTS 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 30,373

Identity Theft Types Reported by Massachusetts Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Massachusetts Victims = 4,128

1Percentages are based on the 4,128 victims reporting from Massachusetts. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Massachusetts Consumers

Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Massachusetts Consumers = 26,245

Federal Trade Commission Page 44 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,482 9%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,810 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,647 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 1,516 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 1,441 5%

6 Internet Services 1,336 5%

7 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 1,281 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,165 4%

9 Impostor Scams 1,101 4%

10 Credit Cards 857 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 703 17%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 694 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 618 15%

4 Bank Fraud 358 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 274 7%

6 Loan Fraud 120 3%

Other 1,079 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 351 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Michigan Consumers = 37,007

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Michigan consumers (37,007).

MICHIGAN 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 45,126

Identity Theft Types Reported by Michigan Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Michigan Victims = 8,119

1Percentages are based on the 8,119 victims reporting from Michigan. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Michigan Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 45 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 4,488 12%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 3,195 9%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,852 8%

4 Banks and Lenders 2,325 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 2,176 6%

6 Impostor Scams 2,048 6%

7 Internet Services 1,636 4%

8 Auto Related Complaints 1,494 4%

9 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 1,227 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 1,187 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 2,634 32%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,250 15%

3 Credit Card Fraud 1,095 13%

4 Bank Fraud 557 7%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 439 5%

6 Loan Fraud 302 4%

Other 1,552 19%

Attempted Identity Theft 506 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Minnesota Consumers = 19,679

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Minnesota consumers (19,679).

MINNESOTA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 22,350

Identity Theft Types Reported by Minnesota Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Minnesota Victims = 2,671

1Percentages are based on the 2,671 victims reporting from Minnesota. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Minnesota Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 46 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,911 10%

2 Banks and Lenders 1,391 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,279 6%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,237 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,096 6%

6 Internet Services 1,050 5%

7 Impostor Scams 1,023 5%

8 Auto Related Complaints 938 5%

9 Television and Electronic Media 741 4%

10 Health Care 667 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 451 17%

2 Credit Card Fraud 444 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 295 11%

4 Bank Fraud 272 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 203 8%

6 Loan Fraud 83 3%

Other 715 27%

Attempted Identity Theft 241 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Mississippi Consumers = 9,595

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Mississippi consumers (9,595).

MISSISSIPPI 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 11,805

Identity Theft Types Reported by Mississippi Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Mississippi Victims = 2,210

1Percentages are based on the 2,210 victims reporting from Mississippi. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Mississippi Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 47 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,320 14%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 837 9%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 618 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 516 5%

5 Auto Related Complaints 494 5%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 471 5%

7 Impostor Scams 438 5%

8 Internet Services 339 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 325 3%

10 Television and Electronic Media 293 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 904 41%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 283 13%

3 Credit Card Fraud 202 9%

4 Bank Fraud 140 6%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 135 6%

6 Loan Fraud 79 4%

Other 428 19%

Attempted Identity Theft 97 4%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Missouri Consumers = 26,863

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Missouri consumers (26,863).

MISSOURI 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 31,145

Identity Theft Types Reported by Missouri Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Missouri Victims = 4,282

1Percentages are based on the 4,282 victims reporting from Missouri. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Missouri Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 48 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 3,246 12%

2 Auto Related Complaints 2,182 8%

3 Banks and Lenders 1,867 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,585 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,567 6%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,337 5%

7 Impostor Scams 1,217 5%

8 Television and Electronic Media 1,213 5%

9 Internet Services 1,208 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 737 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 655 15%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 583 14%

3 Bank Fraud 560 13%

4 Credit Card Fraud 489 11%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 222 5%

6 Loan Fraud 137 3%

Other 1,368 32%

Attempted Identity Theft 337 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Montana Consumers = 4,020

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Montana consumers (4,020).

MONTANA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 4,410

Identity Theft Types Reported by Montana Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Montana Victims = 390

1Percentages are based on the 390 victims reporting from Montana. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Montana Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 49 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 425 11%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 394 10%

3 Impostor Scams 284 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 281 7%

5 Internet Services 230 6%

6 Telephone and Mobile Services 170 4%

7 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 163 4%

8 Banks and Lenders 161 4%

9 Auto Related Complaints 134 3%

10 Internet Auction 117 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 73 19%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 65 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 44 11%

4 Bank Fraud 39 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 13 3%

6 Loan Fraud 8 2%

Other 120 31%

Attempted Identity Theft 31 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Nebraska Consumers = 6,824

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Nebraska consumers (6,824).

NEBRASKA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 7,693

Identity Theft Types Reported by Nebraska Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Nebraska Victims = 869

1Percentages are based on the 869 victims reporting from Nebraska. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Nebraska Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 50 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 894 13%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 473 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 472 7%

4 Auto Related Complaints 437 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 378 6%

6 Internet Services 308 5%

7 Impostor Scams 288 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 262 4%

9 Health Care 246 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 206 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 144 17%

2 Credit Card Fraud 125 14%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 112 13%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 107 12%

5 Bank Fraud 70 8%

6 Loan Fraud 24 3%

Other 209 24%

Attempted Identity Theft 78 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Nevada Consumers = 14,320

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Nevada consumers (14,320).

NEVADA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 16,747

Identity Theft Types Reported by Nevada Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Nevada Victims = 2,427

1Percentages are based on the 2,427 victims reporting from Nevada. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Nevada Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 51 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,776 12%

2 Internet Services 850 6%

3 Banks and Lenders 849 6%

4 Impostor Scams 817 6%

5 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 806 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 784 5%

7 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 623 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 598 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 436 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 393 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 542 22%

2 Credit Card Fraud 337 14%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 289 12%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 282 12%

5 Bank Fraud 213 9%

6 Loan Fraud 95 4%

Other 732 30%

Attempted Identity Theft 118 5%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from New Hampshire Consumers = 5,948

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from New Hampshire consumers (5,948).

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 6,565

Identity Theft Types Reported by New Hampshire Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from New Hampshire Victims = 617

1Percentages are based on the 617 victims reporting from New Hampshire. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by New Hampshire Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 52 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 767 13%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 393 7%

3 Banks and Lenders 376 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 369 6%

5 Impostor Scams 355 6%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 346 6%

7 Internet Services 301 5%

8 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 208 3%

9 Telephone and Mobile Services 182 3%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 178 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 127 21%

2 Credit Card Fraud 90 15%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 84 14%

4 Bank Fraud 61 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 19 3%

6 Loan Fraud 12 2%

Other 171 28%

Attempted Identity Theft 54 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from New Jersey Consumers = 39,737

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from New Jersey consumers (39,737).

NEW JERSEY 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 47,336

Identity Theft Types Reported by New Jersey Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from New Jersey Victims = 7,599

1Percentages are based on the 7,599 victims reporting from New Jersey. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by New Jersey Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 53 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 5,130 13%

2 Debt Collection 5,054 13%

3 Banks and Lenders 2,797 7%

4 Auto Related Complaints 2,698 7%

5 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 2,353 6%

6 Internet Services 2,092 5%

7 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,031 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,980 5%

9 Impostor Scams 1,909 5%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 1,286 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,916 25%

2 Credit Card Fraud 1,249 16%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 988 13%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 617 8%

5 Bank Fraud 611 8%

6 Loan Fraud 190 3%

Other 1,705 22%

Attempted Identity Theft 592 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from New Mexico Consumers = 8,023

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from New Mexico consumers (8,023).

NEW MEXICO 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 9,633

Identity Theft Types Reported by New Mexico Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from New Mexico Victims = 1,610

1Percentages are based on the 1,610 victims reporting from New Mexico. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by New Mexico Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 54 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,081 13%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 601 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 540 7%

4 Impostor Scams 455 6%

5 Internet Services 408 5%

6 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report 

Users

348 4%

7 Banks and Lenders 333 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 303 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 289 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 276 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 269 17%

2 Employment-Related Fraud 263 16%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 227 14%

4 Credit Card Fraud 203 13%

5 Bank Fraud 125 8%

6 Loan Fraud 47 3%

Other 426 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 92 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from New York Consumers = 75,163

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from New York consumers (75,163).

NEW YORK 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 93,043

Identity Theft Types Reported by New York Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from New York Victims = 17,880

1Percentages are based on the 17,880 victims reporting from New York. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by New York Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 55 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 8,065 11%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 5,006 7%

3 Banks and Lenders 4,293 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 4,200 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 4,141 6%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 4,130 5%

7 Internet Services 4,114 5%

8 Impostor Scams 3,217 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 2,894 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 2,213 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 4,147 23%

2 Credit Card Fraud 3,514 20%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 2,322 13%

4 Bank Fraud 1,642 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 875 5%

6 Loan Fraud 453 3%

Other 3,900 22%

Attempted Identity Theft 1,530 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from North Carolina Consumers = 38,063

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from North Carolina consumers (38,063).

NORTH CAROLINA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 44,350

Identity Theft Types Reported by North Carolina Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from North Carolina Victims = 6,287

1Percentages are based on the 6,287 victims reporting from North Carolina. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by North Carolina Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 56 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 5,005 13%

2 Banks and Lenders 2,737 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,494 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 2,464 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 2,343 6%

6 Impostor Scams 2,092 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,969 5%

8 Internet Services 1,792 5%

9 Television and Electronic Media 1,263 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 1,182 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,325 21%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,051 17%

3 Credit Card Fraud 760 12%

4 Bank Fraud 487 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 453 7%

6 Loan Fraud 212 3%

Other 1,599 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 466 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from North Dakota Consumers = 1,732

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from North Dakota consumers (1,732).

NORTH DAKOTA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 1,888

Identity Theft Types Reported by North Dakota Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from North Dakota Victims = 156

1Percentages are based on the 156 victims reporting from North Dakota. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by North Dakota Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 57 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 205 12%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 165 10%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 149 9%

4 Internet Services 87 5%

5 Impostor Scams 79 5%

6 Internet Auction 67 4%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 66 4%

8 Auto Related Complaints 64 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 62 4%

10 Banks and Lenders 60 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 38 24%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 22 14%

3 Credit Card Fraud 16 10%

4 Bank Fraud 14 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 10 6%

6 Loan Fraud 3 2%

Other 42 27%

Attempted Identity Theft 16 10%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Ohio Consumers = 54,493

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Ohio consumers (54,493).

OHIO 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 61,972

Identity Theft Types Reported by Ohio Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Ohio Victims = 7,479

1Percentages are based on the 7,479 victims reporting from Ohio. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Ohio Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 58 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Internet Services 7,472 14%

2 Debt Collection 6,214 11%

3 Auto Related Complaints 3,560 7%

4 Banks and Lenders 3,276 6%

5 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 3,147 6%

6 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 2,871 5%

7 Health Care 2,588 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 2,302 4%

9 Impostor Scams 2,264 4%

10 Television and Electronic Media 1,864 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,726 23%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,529 20%

3 Credit Card Fraud 1,133 15%

4 Bank Fraud 588 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 300 4%

6 Loan Fraud 214 3%

Other 1,642 22%

Attempted Identity Theft 506 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Oklahoma Consumers = 13,481

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Oklahoma consumers (13,481).

OKLAHOMA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 15,596

Identity Theft Types Reported by Oklahoma Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Oklahoma Victims = 2,115

1Percentages are based on the 2,115 victims reporting from Oklahoma. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Oklahoma Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 59 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,961 15%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,078 8%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 820 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 773 6%

5 Telephone and Mobile Services 722 5%

6 Banks and Lenders 711 5%

7 Impostor Scams 711 5%

8 Internet Services 561 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 422 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 378 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 369 17%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 338 16%

3 Credit Card Fraud 283 13%

4 Bank Fraud 218 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 199 9%

6 Loan Fraud 70 3%

Other 532 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 109 5%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Oregon Consumers = 16,208

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Oregon consumers (16,208).

OREGON 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 18,434

Identity Theft Types Reported by Oregon Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Oregon Victims = 2,226

1Percentages are based on the 2,226 victims reporting from Oregon. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Oregon Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 60 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,984 12%

2 Internet Services 1,109 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,102 7%

4 Impostor Scams 901 6%

5 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 873 5%

6 Banks and Lenders 859 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 787 5%

8 Auto Related Complaints 766 5%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 670 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 560 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 330 15%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 317 14%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 236 11%

4 Bank Fraud 224 10%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 164 7%

6 Loan Fraud 58 3%

Other 717 32%

Attempted Identity Theft 196 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Pennsylvania Consumers = 54,027

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Pennsylvania consumers (54,027).

PENNSYLVANIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 64,088

Identity Theft Types Reported by Pennsylvania Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Pennsylvania Victims = 10,061

1Percentages are based on the 10,061 victims reporting from Pennsylvania. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Pennsylvania Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 61 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 6,805 13%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 4,179 8%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 3,529 7%

4 Banks and Lenders 3,187 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 2,719 5%

6 Impostor Scams 2,628 5%

7 Internet Services 2,585 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 2,295 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 1,718 3%

10 Credit Cards 1,621 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 2,084 21%

2 Credit Card Fraud 1,750 17%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 1,679 17%

4 Bank Fraud 799 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 737 7%

6 Loan Fraud 266 3%

Other 2,241 22%

Attempted Identity Theft 787 8%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Rhode Island Consumers = 4,004

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Rhode Island consumers (4,004).

RHODE ISLAND 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 4,618

Identity Theft Types Reported by Rhode Island Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Rhode Island Victims = 614

1Percentages are based on the 614 victims reporting from Rhode Island. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Rhode Island Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 62 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 532 13%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 249 6%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 242 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 204 5%

5 Auto Related Complaints 202 5%

6 Internet Services 192 5%

7 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 189 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 171 4%

9 Impostor Scams 161 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 147 4%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 133 22%

2 Credit Card Fraud 98 16%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 78 13%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 46 7%

5 Bank Fraud 40 7%

6 Loan Fraud 20 3%

Other 154 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 53 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from South Carolina Consumers = 19,720

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from South Carolina consumers (19,720).

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 22,888

Identity Theft Types Reported by South Carolina Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from South Carolina Victims = 3,168

1Percentages are based on the 3,168 victims reporting from South Carolina. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by South Carolina Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 63 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,974 15%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,433 7%

3 Banks and Lenders 1,361 7%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,205 6%

5 Auto Related Complaints 999 5%

6 Impostor Scams 908 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 840 4%

8 Internet Services 737 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 647 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 554 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 764 24%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 461 15%

3 Credit Card Fraud 334 11%

4 Bank Fraud 248 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 205 6%

6 Loan Fraud 130 4%

Other 829 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 204 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from South Dakota Consumers = 2,415

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from South Dakota consumers (2,415).

SOUTH DAKOTA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 2,621

Identity Theft Types Reported by South Dakota Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from South Dakota Victims = 206

1Percentages are based on the 206 victims reporting from South Dakota. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by South Dakota Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 64 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 384 16%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 189 8%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 165 7%

4 Banks and Lenders 133 6%

5 Internet Services 128 5%

6 Impostor Scams 116 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 90 4%

8 Auto Related Complaints 79 3%

9 Internet Auction 78 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 75 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 35 17%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 27 13%

3 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 25 12%

4 Employment-Related Fraud 18 9%

5 Bank Fraud 15 7%

6 Loan Fraud 6 3%

Other 61 30%

Attempted Identity Theft 25 12%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Tennessee Consumers = 26,987

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Tennessee consumers (26,987).

TENNESSEE 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 31,262

Identity Theft Types Reported by Tennessee Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Tennessee Victims = 4,275

1Percentages are based on the 4,275 victims reporting from Tennessee. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Tennessee Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 65 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 3,647 14%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,770 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,684 6%

4 Impostor Scams 1,664 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,647 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 1,641 6%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,282 5%

8 Internet Services 1,242 5%

9 Television and Electronic Media 911 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 857 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 1,192 28%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 540 13%

3 Credit Card Fraud 525 12%

4 Bank Fraud 381 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 229 5%

6 Loan Fraud 148 3%

Other 1,057 25%

Attempted Identity Theft 294 7%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Texas Consumers = 102,107

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Texas consumers (102,107).

TEXAS 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 126,269

Identity Theft Types Reported by Texas Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Texas Victims = 24,162

1Percentages are based on the 24,162 victims reporting from Texas. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Texas Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 66 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 15,767 15%

2 Banks and Lenders 6,202 6%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 6,137 6%

4 Auto Related Complaints 6,049 6%

5 Impostor Scams 5,285 5%

6 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 4,901 5%

7 Internet Services 4,766 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 4,557 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 3,102 3%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 3,023 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 5,709 24%

2 Employment-Related Fraud 3,566 15%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 3,142 13%

4 Credit Card Fraud 2,866 12%

5 Bank Fraud 2,331 10%

6 Loan Fraud 970 4%

Other 5,460 23%

Attempted Identity Theft 1,252 5%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Utah Consumers = 10,895

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Utah consumers (10,895).

UTAH 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 12,409

Identity Theft Types Reported by Utah Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Utah Victims = 1,514

1Percentages are based on the 1,514 victims reporting from Utah. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Utah Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 67 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 1,312 12%

2 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 716 7%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 620 6%

4 Banks and Lenders 619 6%

5 Impostor Scams 556 5%

6 Internet Services 549 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 546 5%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 489 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 430 4%

10 Credit Cards 381 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 216 14%

2 Credit Card Fraud 206 14%

3 Employment-Related Fraud 200 13%

4 Phone or Utilities Fraud 194 13%

5 Bank Fraud 141 9%

6 Loan Fraud 50 3%

Other 390 26%

Attempted Identity Theft 157 10%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Vermont Consumers = 2,328

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Vermont consumers (2,328).

VERMONT 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 2,587

Identity Theft Types Reported by Vermont Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Vermont Victims = 259

1Percentages are based on the 259 victims reporting from Vermont. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Vermont Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 68 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 241 10%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 196 8%

3 Banks and Lenders 136 6%

4 Internet Services 131 6%

5 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 122 5%

6 Auto Related Complaints 119 5%

7 Impostor Scams 119 5%

8 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 87 4%

9 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 81 3%

10 Telephone and Mobile Services 78 3%

11 Television and Electronic Media 78 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Phone or Utilities Fraud 52 20%

2 Credit Card Fraud 38 15%

3 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 37 14%

4 Bank Fraud 21 8%

5 Loan Fraud 6 2%

6 Employment-Related Fraud 4 2%

Other 79 31%

Attempted Identity Theft 27 10%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Virginia Consumers = 42,165

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Virginia consumers (42,165).

VIRGINIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 47,581

Identity Theft Types Reported by Virginia Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Virginia Victims = 5,416

1Percentages are based on the 5,416 victims reporting from Virginia. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Virginia Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 69 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 5,644 13%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 2,540 6%

3 Banks and Lenders 2,537 6%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,314 5%

5 Auto Related Complaints 2,196 5%

6 Internet Services 2,062 5%

7 Impostor Scams 1,888 4%

8 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,687 4%

9 Credit Cards 1,677 4%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 1,241 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 926 17%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 901 17%

3 Credit Card Fraud 818 15%

4 Bank Fraud 492 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 270 5%

6 Loan Fraud 163 3%

Other 1,487 27%

Attempted Identity Theft 470 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Washington Consumers = 31,832

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Washington consumers (31,832).

WASHINGTON 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 36,685

Identity Theft Types Reported by Washington Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Washington Victims = 4,853

1Percentages are based on the 4,853 victims reporting from Washington. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Washington Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 70 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 3,721 12%

2 Internet Services 2,101 7%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 2,037 6%

4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,914 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,846 6%

6 Impostor Scams 1,606 5%

7 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,599 5%

8 Auto Related Complaints 1,524 5%

9 Credit Cards 1,151 4%

10 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 1,024 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Credit Card Fraud 847 17%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 663 14%

3 Bank Fraud 600 12%

4 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 568 12%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 413 9%

6 Loan Fraud 122 3%

Other 1,326 27%

Attempted Identity Theft 439 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from West Virginia Consumers = 5,987

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from West Virginia consumers (5,987).

WEST VIRGINIA 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 6,718

Identity Theft Types Reported by West Virginia Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from West Virginia Victims = 731

1Percentages are based on the 731 victims reporting from West Virginia. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by West Virginia Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 71 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 640 11%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 457 8%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 396 7%

4 Impostor Scams 375 6%

5 Internet Services 315 5%

6 Auto Related Complaints 282 5%

7 Credit Cards 238 4%

8 Banks and Lenders 224 4%

9 Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 211 4%

10 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 203 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Phone or Utilities Fraud 127 17%

2 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 110 15%

3 Credit Card Fraud 109 15%

4 Bank Fraud 63 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 32 4%

6 Loan Fraud 29 4%

Other 232 32%

Attempted Identity Theft 47 6%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Wisconsin Consumers = 22,736

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Wisconsin consumers (22,736).

WISCONSIN 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 25,518

Identity Theft Types Reported by Wisconsin Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Wisconsin Victims = 2,782

1Percentages are based on the 2,782 victims reporting from Wisconsin. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Wisconsin Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 72 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 2,253 10%

2 Telephone and Mobile Services 1,786 8%

3 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 1,472 6%

4 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 1,426 6%

5 Banks and Lenders 1,350 6%

6 Impostor Scams 1,072 5%

7 Auto Related Complaints 1,057 5%

8 Internet Services 1,038 5%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 732 3%

10 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 712 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 653 23%

2 Credit Card Fraud 399 14%

3 Phone or Utilities Fraud 337 12%

4 Bank Fraud 235 8%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 196 7%

6 Loan Fraud 91 3%

Other 662 24%

Attempted Identity Theft 237 9%

Complaints
Fraud and Other Complaints Count from Wyoming Consumers = 2,276

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN fraud and other complaints from Wyoming consumers (2,276).

WYOMING 

Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Figures 

January 1 - December 31, 2011

Total Number of Identity Theft, Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints = 2,556

Identity Theft Types Reported by Wyoming Victims

Identity Theft Complaints Count from Wyoming Victims = 280

1Percentages are based on the 280 victims reporting from Wyoming. Note that CSN identity theft 

complaints may be coded under multiple theft types. 

Top 10 Fraud and Other Complaint Categories Reported by Wyoming Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Page 73 of 103 Released February 2012

Rank Top Categories Percentage1 

1 Debt Collection 237 10%

2 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 189 8%

3 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 177 8%

4 Impostor Scams 161 7%

5 Internet Services 130 6%

6 Auto Related Complaints 117 5%

7 Banks and Lenders 108 5%

8 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 81 4%

9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 70 3%

10 Credit Cards 66 3%

Complaints

Rank Identity Theft Type Percentage1

1 Government Documents or Benefits Fraud 55 20%

2 Phone or Utilities Fraud 47 17%

3 Credit Card Fraud 31 11%

4 Bank Fraud 25 9%

5 Employment-Related Fraud 23 8%

6 Loan Fraud 2 1%

Other 88 31%

Attempted Identity Theft 23 8%

Complaints
The Consumer Sentinel Network is a free, online database of consumer complaints available only to law 

enforcement. It includes complaints about identity theft, fraud, financial transactions, debt collection, 

credit reports, and Spam, among other subjects. The Consumer Sentinel Network is based on the 

premise that sharing information can make law enforcement even more effective. To that end, the 

Consumer Sentinel Network provides law enforcement members with access to consumer complaints 

provided directly to the FTC, as well as to complaints shared by other data contributors.

Econsumer.gov was created in April 2001 to gather and share cross-border e-commerce complaints to 

respond to the challenges of multinational Internet fraud, and enhance consumer confidence in ecommerce. Through econsumer.gov, consumers can file cross-border consumer complaints online and 

learn about alternative ways to resolve them. All information is available in English, French, German, 

Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Spanish. Using the existing Consumer Sentinel Network, the incoming 

complaints are shared through the government Website with participating consumer protection law 

enforcers from 25 nations.

Consumer Sentinel/Military, which was established in September 2002, is a project of the Federal Trade 

Commission and the Department of Defense to identify and target consumer protection issues that affect members 

of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Consumer Sentinel/Military also provides a gateway to 

consumer education materials covering a wide range of consumer protection issues, such as auto leasing, identity 

theft, and work-at-home scams. Members of the United States Armed Forces can enter complaints directly into 

Consumer Sentinel. This information is used by law enforcement agencies, members of the Judge Advocate 

General staff, and other Department of Defense personnel to help protect armed services members and their families 

from consumer protection-related problems.

The Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse was launched in November 1999 and is the sole national repository of 

consumer complaints about identity theft. The Clearinghouse provides specific investigative material for law 

enforcement and broader reports that provide insight to both private and public sector partners on ways to reduce the 

incidence of identity theft. Information in the Clearinghouse is available to law enforcement members via the 

Consumer Sentinel Network. This access enables law enforcers to readily spot local identity theft problems and to 

coordinate with other law enforcement officers where the data reveals common schemes or perpetrators. 

www.econsumer.gov

www.FTC.gov/sentinel/military

Appendix A1: The Consumer Sentinel Network

www.FTC.gov/idtheft

www.FTC.gov/Sentinel

Federal Trade Commission Page 74 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix A2: Consumer Sentinel Network Major Data Contributors1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of Consumer Sentinel Network complaints (1,813,080) received between January 1 and December 

31, 2011. The type of complaints provided by the organization is indicated in parentheses. 

2For a list of Better Business Bureaus contributing to the Consumer Sentinel Network, see Appendix A4. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 75 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix A3: Consumer Sentinel Network Data Contributor Details

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; and CY-2011 = 1,813,080.

2 For a list of Better Business Bureaus contributing to the Consumer Sentinel Network, see Appendix A4. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 76 of 103 Released February 2012

Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1 Complaints Percentages1

FTC - "877 ID THEFT" 216,370 15% 193,076 13% 197,074 11%

FTC - "877 FTC HELP" (Fraud) 138,884 10% 131,065 10% 132,169 7%

FTC - "877 FTC HELP" (Other) 147,854 11% 125,973 9% 127,181 7%

FTC - Web Complaints IDT 47,703 3% 46,468 3% 65,892 4%

FTC - Web Complaints Fraud 89,037 6% 97,317 7% 110,091 6%

FTC - Web Complaints Other 148,771 11% 164,413 11% 156,169 9%

Better Business Bureaus2 146,538 10% 151,910 10% 416,520 23%

Internet Crime Complaint Center 300,060 21% 296,557 20% 302,381 17%

Western Union Money Transfer 0 0% 0 0% 54,657 3%

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 49,814 4% 49,005 3% 39,260 2%

Publisher's Clearing House 0 0% 34,541 2% 37,311 2%

Others 133,999 9% 170,043 12% 174,375 9%

 MoneyGram International 8,940 1% 35,556 2% 25,838 1%

 PrivacyStar 0 0% 10,582 1% 23,641 1%

 U.S. Postal Inspection Service 33,714 2% 22,764 2% 23,533 1%

 Ohio Attorney General 22,980 2% 24,624 2% 18,031 1%

 North Carolina Department of Justice 18,375 1% 18,088 1% 16,760 1%

 Identity Theft Assistance Center 14,271 1% 11,551 1% 16,149 1%

 Washington Attorney General 0 0% 0 0% 11,154 1%

 Oregon, Department of Justice 12,346 1% 11,592 1% 10,011 1%

 Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights 741 <1% 7,106 <1% 9,725 1%

 Michigan Attorney General 137 <1% 11,393 1% 7,154 <1%

 National Consumer League 11,629 1% 8,638 1% 6,964 <1%

 Tennessee Consumer Affairs Division 3,048 <1% 3,318 <1% 2,384 <1%

 Idaho Attorney General 2,980 <1% 2,114 <1% 1,175 <1%

 Minnesota Department of Public Safety 3,405 <1% 1,424 <1% 680 <1%

 Mississippi Attorney General 644 <1% 543 <1% 639 <1%

 Xerox Corporation 683 <1% 488 <1% 348 <1%

 Catalog Choice 26 <1% 194 <1% 45 <1%

 U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review 0 0% 0 0% 34 <1%

 U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service 0 0% 0 0% 28 <1%

 Other Data Contributors 80 <1% 68 <1% 82 <1%

Total Number of Complaints 1,419,030 1,460,368 1,813,080 

Data Contributors

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011
Appendix A4: Consumer Sentinel Network

Better Business Bureau Data Contributors 

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 77 of 103 Released February 2012

Alabama, Birmingham Kansas, Wichita Ohio, Columbus

Alabama, Huntsville Kentucky, Lexington Ohio, Dayton

Alabama, Mobile Kentucky, Louisville Ohio, Lima 

Alberta, Calgary (Canada) Louisiana, Acadiana (Lafayette) Ohio, Toledo

Alberta, Edmonton (Canada) Louisiana, Baton Rouge Ohio, Youngstown

Arizona, Phoenix Louisiana, Lake Charles Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

Arizona, Tucson Louisiana, Monroe Oklahoma, Tulsa

Arkansas, Little Rock Louisiana, New Orleans Ontario, Kitchener (Canada)

British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada) Louisiana, Shreveport Ontario, London (Canada)

British Columbia, Victoria (Canada) Manitoba, Winnipeg (Canada) Ontario, Ottawa (Canada)

California, Colton (Southland) Maryland, Baltimore Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh

California, Oakland Massachusetts, Boston (Marlborough) Saskatchewan, Regina (Canada)

California, Sacramento Massachusetts, Worcester South Carolina, Columbia

California, San Diego Michigan, Detroit (Southfield) South Carolina, Greenville

California, San Joaquin Valley (Fresno) Michigan, Grand Rapids South Carolina, Myrtle Beach

California, San Jose (Silicon Valley) Minnesota, Saint Paul Tennessee, Chattanooga

California, Santa Barbara (Tri-Counties) Mississippi, Jackson (Brandon) Tennessee, Knoxville

Colorado, Colorado Springs Missouri, Kansas City Tennessee, Memphis

Colorado, Denver Missouri, Saint Louis Tennessee, Nashville

Colorado, Fort Collins Missouri, Springfield Texas, Abilene

Connecticut, Wallingford Nebraska, Omaha Texas, Amarillo

Delaware, Wilmington (New Castle) Nevada, Las Vegas (Southern Nevada) Texas, Austin

District of Columbia, Washington Nevada, Reno Texas, Beaumont

Florida, Clearwater New Hampshire, Concord Texas, Brazos Valley (Bryan)

Florida, Jacksonville (Northeast Florida) New Jersey, Trenton Texas, Dallas

Florida, Orlando New Mexico, Albuquerque Texas, El Paso

Florida, Pensacola New York, Buffalo (Amherst) Texas, Fort Worth

Florida, West Palm Beach New York, New York City Texas, Houston

Georgia, Atlanta, Athens and Northeast Georgia Newfoundland, St. Johns (Canada) Texas, San Angelo

Georgia, Columbus North Carolina, Asheville Texas, South Plains (Lubbock)

Georgia, Macon North Carolina, Charlotte Texas, Tyler

Hawaii, Honolulu North Carolina, Greensboro Texas, Wichita Falls

Idaho, Boise North Carolina, Raleigh Utah, Salt Lake City

Illinois, Chicago North Carolina, Winston-Selem Virginia, Norfolk

Illinois, Peoria Nova Scotia, Halifax (Canada) Virginia, Richmond

Indiana, Evansville Ohio, Akron Virginia, Roanoke

Indiana, Fort Wayne Ohio, Canton Washington, DuPont 

Indiana, Indianapolis Ohio, Cincinnati Washington, Spokane

Iowa, Des Moines Ohio, Cleveland Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Appendix B1: Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Category Descriptions

Federal Trade Commission Page 78 of 103 Released February 2012

1

Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair: The promise of a loan or credit card that requires you to pay a fee first; 

worthless credit card loss protection and insurance programs; the promise that accurate negative information can be 

removed from your credit file for a fee; etc. (Fraud Category)

2

Auto Related Complaints: Misleading or deceptive claims regarding auto warranties; repair/maintenance issues with newly 

purchased used or new cars, including dissatisfaction with service provided by auto mechanics; price fixing and price 

gouging concerns against gas stations and oil companies; etc. (Other Category) 

3

Banks and Lenders: Deceptive or predatory mortgage lending practices; problems with modification of mortgage terms; 

miscellaneous customer service and account issues with bank products, including fees and overdraft charges; etc. (Other 

Category)

4

Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-at-Home Plans: Complaints about business opportunities: 

promotion of distributing goods and services, provided by the promoter, with assistance in the form of locations or 

accounts or customers. Also, complaints about work-at-home plans: an offer a consumer may receive or seek out to work 

directly from home (e.g. stuffing envelopes or processing medical claims). (Fraud Category)

5

Buyers' Clubs: Complaints involving free trials or discounts on products and services; a buyers’ club membership 

becomes a fraud when consumers are billed for "memberships" they did not agree to purchase. Frequently, consumers are 

offered a free-trial offer and are automatically enrolled and charged fees once the free-trial period is over. (Fraud Category)

6 Charitable Solicitations: Misleading pitches for donations to benefit local service organizations; solicitations for bogus 

charity or relief organizations; etc. (Fraud Category)

7 Clothing, Textiles and Jewelry: Fake or replica goods passed off as genuine; order fulfillment problems; failure to honor 

refund or return policies; etc. (Other Category) 

8 Computer Equipment and Software: Problems with computer software, hardware, and computer equipment purchases; 

unwanted or unauthorized software installations and downloads; etc. (Other Category)

9

Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users: Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) or furnisher provides 

inaccurate information or fails to reinvestigate disputed information; CRA provides inadequate phone help; difficulties 

ordering free annual credit reports; impermissible access to/inquiry on credit reports; etc. (Other Category) 

10 Credit Cards: Account or billing issues, including interest rate changes, late fees, credit disputes, and overcharges; 

fraudulent credit card offers/phishing attempts; etc. (Other Category) 

11

Debt Collection: Debt collector calls repeatedly or continuously; falsely represents the amount or status of debt; fails to 

send written notice of debt; falsely threatens suit; uses profane language; fails to identify self as debt collector; and/or 

violates other provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. (Other Category)

12

Education: Complaints about trade or vocational school services, including issues related to accreditation, billing and 

collection, or institutional advertising claims related to usefulness of the degree or job prospects after graduation. (Other 

Category)

13

Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams: Letters or e-mails offering the "opportunity" to share in a 

percentage of millions of dollars that a self-proclaimed government official is trying to transfer illegally out of a foreign 

country in return for money, bank account numbers, or other identifying information from the victim; fraudulent schemes 

involving foreign lotteries, mystery shoppers, or Internet purchases/classified ads in which a counterfeit check 

overpayment is received along with a request to wire back the difference immediately after check deposit, leaving the 

victim responsible for the funds withdrawn; etc. (Fraud Category)

14

Grants: Deceptive practices by businesses or individuals marketing either government grant opportunities or financial aid 

assistance services; problems with student loan processors, debt collectors collecting on defaulted student loans, and 

diploma mills and other unaccredited educational institutions; etc. (Fraud Category) 

15

Health Care: Fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive claims for vision correction procedures; dietary supplements; weight 

loss products or services; impotency treatments; health spas and equipments; infertility services; sunscreens; HIV test 

kits; etc. (Fraud Category)
Federal Trade Commission Page 79 of 103 Released February 2012

Appendix B1: Consumer Sentinel Network 

Complaint Category Descriptions

16

Home Repair, Improvement and Products: Defective furniture or appliances; service or warranty-related issues; furniture 

or appliance delivery problems, including receiving wrong or incomplete products; problems with home repair services and 

contractors; etc. (Other Category) 

17 Identity Theft: When someone appropriates your personal identifying information (like your Social Security number or 

credit card account number) to commit fraud or theft. (Identity Theft Category)

18

Impostor Scams: Complaints about scammers claiming to be friends, family, companies or government agencies to induce 

people to send money or divulge personal information. Complaints include the following: scammers posing as friends or 

relatives stranded in foreign countries without money; scammers claiming to be working for or affiliated with a government 

agency; and scammers claiming to be affiliated with a private entity (e.g. a charity or company). (Fraud Category)

19 Internet Auction: Non-delivery or late delivery of goods; delivery of goods that are less valuable than advertised; failure 

to disclose all the relevant information about the product or terms of the sale; etc. (Fraud Category)

20

Internet Services: Problems with trial offers from Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"); difficulty canceling an ISP account; 

issues with Internet entertainment services, Internet gaming, and social networking services; undisclosed charges; website 

design and hosting services; spyware, adware, and malware issues; etc. (Fraud Category)

21 Investment Related Complaints: Investment opportunities in day trading; gold and gems; art; rare coins; etc. (Fraud 

Category)

22 Magazines and Books: Pitches for "free," "pre-paid," or "special" magazine or books subscription deals; etc. (Fraud 

Category)

23

Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management: Complaints about mortgage lenders, brokers, and other entities 

making false promises to save consumers’ homes from foreclosure; mortgage refinancing, mortgage term modifications, 

and debt management issues; credit organizations charging excessive fees, making false promises to provide free services, 

pay creditors, or reduce interest rates. (Fraud Category)

24

Office Supplies and Services: Fraudulent or deceptive offers for toner, copier paper, maintenance supplies, equipment 

maintenance contracts; classified advertising and yellow page invoice scams; website cramming schemes; etc. (Fraud 

Category)

25 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries: Promotions for "free" prizes for a fee; foreign lotteries and sweepstakes offered 

through the phone, fax, e-mail or mail; etc. (Fraud Category)

26

Real Estate: Complaints about deceptive and misleading practices involving real estate agents and companies, real estate 

appraisers and appraisal services, real estate consultants, real estate property management, and real estate land 

developers. (Other Category)

27

Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales: Problems, such as undisclosed costs, failure to deliver on time, non-delivery, and 

refusal to honor a guarantee, with purchases made via the Internet (not including auction sales), telephone, or mail. (Fraud 

Category)

28

Telephone and Mobile Services: Charges for calls to "toll-free" numbers; unauthorized charges such as charges for calls 

consumers didn’t make; unauthorized switching of consumers’ phone service provider; misleading pre-paid phone card 

offers; etc. (Fraud Category)

29 Television and Electronic Media: Problems with TV reception, installation, billing, and promotions for cable/satellite 

providers; miscellaneous problems with music/DVD purchases. (Other Category) 

30 Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans: Deceptive offers for "free" or low-cost vacations; cut-rate student travel 

packages; misleading timeshare offers; etc. (Fraud Category)
Appendix B2: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Categories1

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; 

CY-2010 = 1,460,368; CY-2011 = 1,813,080. CSN complaints may be coded under multiple product service 

codes, so percentages total more than 100%. 

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 43,146 3.04% 33,028 2.26% 47,414 2.62%

Auto Related Complaints 27,343 1.93% 23,915 1.64% 77,435 4.27%

Banks and Lenders 28,349 2.00% 37,070 2.54% 89,341 4.93%

Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-at-Home Plans 24,559 1.73% 25,643 1.76% 36,111 1.99%

Buyers' Clubs 750 0.05% 865 0.06% 2,660 0.15%

Charitable Solicitations 3,766 0.27% 3,596 0.25% 3,474 0.19%

Clothing, Textiles and Jewelry 1,822 0.13% 2,915 0.20% 3,358 0.19%

Computer Equipment and Software 24,783 1.75% 21,462 1.47% 13,435 0.74%

Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users 31,840 2.24% 30,369 2.08% 30,203 1.67%

Credit Cards 46,291 3.26% 34,091 2.33% 37,932 2.09%

Debt Collection 128,120 9.03% 151,771 10.39% 180,928 9.98%

Education 625 0.04% 614 0.04% 3,164 0.17%

Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 63,640 4.48% 45,265 3.10% 43,101 2.38%

Grants 4,351 0.31% 4,609 0.32% 12,823 0.71%

Health Care 30,048 2.12% 25,628 1.75% 38,246 2.11%

Home Repair, Improvement and Products 11,506 0.81% 11,501 0.79% 13,020 0.72%

Identity Theft 278,385 19.62% 251,105 17.19% 279,156 15.40%

Impostor Scams 51,026 3.60% 60,245 4.13% 73,281 4.04%

Internet Auction 60,686 4.28% 56,595 3.88% 35,926 1.98%

Internet Services 85,486 6.02% 67,975 4.65% 81,805 4.51%

Investment Related Complaints 6,490 0.46% 6,840 0.47% 7,657 0.42%

Magazines and Books 11,095 0.78% 12,533 0.86% 21,636 1.19%

Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management 23,614 1.66% 30,536 2.09% 38,140 2.10%

Office Supplies and Services 9,701 0.68% 10,535 0.72% 15,917 0.88%

Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 46,224 3.26% 95,607 6.55% 100,208 5.53%

Real Estate 4,972 0.35% 4,828 0.33% 8,763 0.48%

Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 77,337 5.45% 66,064 4.52% 98,306 5.42%

Telephone and Mobile Services 16,455 1.16% 42,576 2.92% 70,024 3.86%

Television and Electronic Media 29,190 2.06% 30,057 2.06% 37,404 2.06%

Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans 17,758 1.25% 21,500 1.47% 32,736 1.81%

Category

CY - 2009 CY - 2010 CY - 2011

Complaints / Percentages1 Complaints / Percentages1 Complaints / Percentages1

Federal Trade Commission Page 80 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

Federal Trade Commission Page 81 of 103 Released February 2012

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Advance-Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers 36,970 2.61 % 30,449 2.09% 44,020 2.43 %

Credit Card Loss Protection 675 0.05 % 493 0.03% 971 0.05 %

Credit Repair 2,965 0.21 % 1,793 0.12% 1,801 0.10 %

Recovery\Refund Companies 2,546 0.18 % 301 0.02% 625 0.03 %

Count/Percentage: 43,146 3.04% 33,028 2.26% 47,414 2.62%

Auto Related Complaints

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Auto: Financing 26 0.00 % 42 0.00% 734 0.04 %

Auto: Gas 499 0.04 % 466 0.03% 2,772 0.15 %

Auto: Other 13,216 0.93 % 3,260 0.22% 0 0.00 %

Auto: Parts & Repairs 3,521 0.25 % 4,386 0.30% 4,764 0.26 %

Auto: Renting & Leasing 466 0.03 % 875 0.06% 5,984 0.33 %

Auto: Sales – New 3,847 0.27 % 5,926 0.41% 33,064 1.82 %

Auto: Sales – Used 6,311 0.44 % 9,145 0.63% 26,770 1.48 %

Auto: Warranty Plans & Services 257 0.02 % 531 0.04% 4,350 0.24 %

Count/Percentage: 27,343 1.93% 23,915 1.64% 77,435 4.27%

Banks and Lenders

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

ATM-Electronic Banking Procedures 240 0.02 % 95 0.01% 61 0.00 %

Bank: National\Commercial 5,233 0.37 % 6,704 0.46% 28,626 1.58 %

Bank: Savings and Loan\Thrift 723 0.05 % 430 0.03% 274 0.02 %

Bank: State-Charter: FR Member 482 0.03 % 400 0.03% 1,376 0.08 %

Bank: State-Charter: Non-FR Member 901 0.06 % 591 0.04% 368 0.02 %

Lending: Banks & Credit Unions 786 0.06 % 758 0.05% 2,419 0.13 %

Lending: Finance Company 2,072 0.15 % 3,403 0.23% 10,927 0.60 %

Lending: Mortgage 15,093 1.06 % 19,304 1.32% 27,485 1.52 %

Lending: Other Institutions 3,283 0.23 % 5,955 0.41% 19,329 1.07 %

Count/Percentage: 28,349 2.00% 37,070 2.54% 89,341 4.93%

Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-at-Home Plans

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Bus Opps\Franchises\Distributorships 5,634 0.40 % 4,309 0.30% 7,708 0.43 %

Employ Agencies\Job Counsel\Overseas Work 9,874 0.70 % 12,311 0.84% 17,730 0.98 %

Inventions\Idea Promotions 446 0.03 % 534 0.04% 622 0.03 %

Work-At-Home Plans 8,664 0.61 % 8,570 0.59% 12,155 0.67 %

Count/Percentage: 24,559 1.73% 25,643 1.76% 36,111 1.99%

Buyers' Clubs

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Buyers Clubs (not travel or lottery) 750 0.05 % 865 0.06% 2,660 0.15 %

Count/Percentage: 750 0.05% 865 0.06% 2,660 0.15%
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Federal Trade Commission Page 82 of 103 Released February 2012

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Charitable Solicitations

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Charitable Solicitations 3,766 0.27 % 3,596 0.25% 3,474 0.19 %

Count/Percentage: 3,766 0.27% 3,596 0.25% 3,474 0.19%

Clothing, Textiles and Jewelry

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Garments, Wool, Leather Goods & Textiles 1,171 0.08 % 2,197 0.15% 2,683 0.15 %

Jewelry\Watches 652 0.05 % 718 0.05% 675 0.04 %

Count/Percentage: 1,822 0.13% 2,915 0.20% 3,358 0.19%

Computer Equipment and Software

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Computers: Equipment\Software 24,783 1.75 % 21,462 1.47% 13,435 0.74 %

Count/Percentage: 24,783 1.75% 21,462 1.47% 13,435 0.74%

Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Credit Bureaus 19,670 1.39 % 19,056 1.30% 18,818 1.04 %

Credit Information Furnishers 10,764 0.76 % 11,607 0.79% 11,759 0.65 %

Credit Report Users 2,024 0.14 % 1,969 0.13% 1,542 0.09 %

Count/Percentage: 31,840 2.24% 30,369 2.08% 30,203 1.67%

Credit Cards

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Credit Cards 46,035 3.24 % 33,917 2.32% 37,785 2.08 %

Credit Cards: Retailer 718 0.05 % 468 0.03% 606 0.03 %

Count/Percentage: 46,291 3.26% 34,091 2.33% 37,932 2.09%

Debt Collection

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Creditor Debt Collection 33,714 2.38 % 33,921 2.32% 26,750 1.48 %

Third Party Debt Collection 96,102 6.77 % 119,632 8.19% 155,640 8.58 %

Count/Percentage: 128,120 9.03% 151,771 10.39% 180,928 9.98%

Education

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Education: Trade\Vocational Schools 625 0.04 % 614 0.04% 3,164 0.17 %

Count/Percentage: 625 0.04% 614 0.04% 3,164 0.17%

Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Counterfeit Check Scams 46,132 3.25 % 29,477 2.02% 32,914 1.82 %

Nigerian/Other Foreign Money Offers (not prizes) 19,360 1.36 % 16,717 1.14% 10,396 0.57 %

Count/Percentage: 63,640 4.48% 45,265 3.10% 43,101 2.38%
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Federal Trade Commission Page 83 of 103 Released February 2012

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Grants

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Grants: Non-Educational 4,031 0.28 % 3,792 0.26% 10,447 0.58 %

Scholarships\Educational Grants 322 0.02 % 817 0.06% 2,377 0.13 %

Count/Percentage: 4,351 0.31% 4,609 0.32% 12,823 0.71%

Health Care

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Health Care: Diet Products\Centers\Plans 12,968 0.91 % 9,025 0.62% 16,817 0.93 %

Health Care: Dietary Supplements\Herbal Remedies 3,224 0.23 % 2,447 0.17% 2,706 0.15 %

Health Care: Drugs-OTC\Prescription 1,562 0.11 % 1,058 0.07% 1,406 0.08 %

Health Care: Eye Care 1,213 0.09 % 1,460 0.10% 3,267 0.18 %

Health Care: Medical Discount Plans\Cards\Insurance 1,852 0.13 % 1,632 0.11% 3,222 0.18 %

Health Care: Other Medical Treatments 3,219 0.23 % 3,738 0.26% 3,732 0.21 %

Health Care: Other Products\Supplies 6,138 0.43 % 6,337 0.43% 7,131 0.39 %

Count/Percentage: 30,048 2.12% 25,628 1.75% 38,246 2.11%

Home Repair, Improvement and Products

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Heating and Air Conditioning 254 0.02 % 322 0.02% 300 0.02 %

Home Appliances 2,130 0.15 % 2,119 0.15% 1,895 0.10 %

Home Furnishings 3,288 0.23 % 2,668 0.18% 2,413 0.13 %

Home Protection Devices 996 0.07 % 990 0.07% 1,258 0.07 %

Home Repair 3,247 0.23 % 3,601 0.25% 2,859 0.16 %

Housing 1,632 0.12% 1,825 0.12% 4,332 0.24%

Count/Percentage: 11,506 0.81% 11,501 0.79% 13,020 0.72%

Identity Theft

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Identity Theft 278,385 19.62 % 251,105 17.19% 279,156 15.40 %

Count/Percentage: 278,385 19.62% 251,105 17.19% 279,156 15.40%

Impostor Scams

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Impostor: Business 0 0.00 % 0 0.00% 715 0.04 %

Impostor: Family/Friend 744 0.05 % 10,944 0.75% 25,462 1.40 %

Impostor: Government 50,282 3.54 % 49,311 3.38% 47,150 2.60 %

Count/Percentage: 51,026 3.60% 60,245 4.13% 73,281 4.04%

Internet Auction

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Internet Auction 60,686 4.28 % 56,595 3.88% 35,926 1.98 %

Count/Percentage: 60,686 4.28% 56,595 3.88% 35,926 1.98%
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Federal Trade Commission Page 84 of 103 Released February 2012

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Internet Services

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Internet Access Services 42,016 2.96 % 16,959 1.16% 10,295 0.57 %

Internet Gaming 157 0.01 % 288 0.02% 2,041 0.11 %

Internet Information & Adult Services 35,081 2.47 % 24,555 1.68% 34,690 1.91 %

Internet Payment Service 1 0.00 % 362 0.02% 443 0.02 %

Internet Web Site Design\Promotion 2,246 0.16 % 2,502 0.17% 4,316 0.24 %

Social Networking Service 9 0.00 % 575 0.04% 2,669 0.15 %

Spyware\Adware\Malware 6,012 0.42 % 22,818 1.56% 27,429 1.51 %

Count/Percentage: 85,486 6.02% 67,975 4.65% 81,805 4.51%

Investment Related Complaints

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Invest: Advice, Seminars 191 0.01 % 203 0.01% 811 0.04 %

Invest: Art\Gems\Rare Coins 192 0.01 % 326 0.02% 1,007 0.06 %

Invest: Other (note in comments) 3,581 0.25 % 5,227 0.36% 4,560 0.25 %

Invest: Stocks\Commodity Futures Trading 2,529 0.18 % 1,087 0.07% 1,281 0.07 %

Count/Percentage: 6,490 0.46% 6,840 0.47% 7,657 0.42%

Magazines and Books

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Books 1,068 0.08 % 1,389 0.10% 4,346 0.24 %

Magazines 10,047 0.71 % 11,154 0.76% 17,522 0.97 %

Count/Percentage: 11,095 0.78% 12,533 0.86% 21,636 1.19%

Mortgage Foreclosure Relief and Debt Management

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Debt Management/Credit Counseling 14,736 1.04 % 12,487 0.86% 18,985 1.05 %

Mortgage Modification/Foreclosure Relief 8,885 0.63 % 18,066 1.24% 19,166 1.06 %

Count/Percentage: 23,614 1.66% 30,536 2.09% 38,140 2.10%

Office Supplies and Services

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Office Supplies and Services 3,431 0.24 % 3,736 0.26% 4,586 0.25 %

Office Supplies: Toner 1,206 0.08 % 1,072 0.07% 786 0.04 %

Office: Ad Space\Directory Listings 5,073 0.36 % 5,733 0.39% 10,549 0.58 %

Count/Percentage: 9,701 0.68% 10,535 0.72% 15,917 0.88%

Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Lotteries\Lottery Ticket Buying Clubs 9,526 0.67 % 17,738 1.21% 20,388 1.12 %

Prizes\Sweepstakes\Gifts 38,488 2.71 % 79,001 5.41% 86,219 4.76 %

Count/Percentage: 46,224 3.26% 95,607 6.55% 100,208 5.53%
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Federal Trade Commission Page 85 of 103 Released February 2012

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Real Estate

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Real Estate (not Timeshares) 4,972 0.35 % 4,828 0.33% 8,763 0.48 %

Count/Percentage: 4,972 0.35% 4,828 0.33% 8,763 0.48%

Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Shop-at-Home\Catalog Sales 77,337 5.45 % 66,064 4.52% 98,306 5.42 %

Count/Percentage: 77,337 5.45% 66,064 4.52% 98,306 5.42%

Telephone and Mobile Services

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Telephone: Carrier Switching 1,519 0.11 % 698 0.05% 518 0.03 %

Telephone: Mobile Downloads 369 0.03 % 380 0.03% 325 0.02 %

Telephone: Mobile Other 1,621 0.11 % 15,518 1.06% 44,977 2.48 %

Telephone: Mobile Rates/Plans/Advertising 555 0.04 % 2,774 0.19% 2,709 0.15 %

Telephone: Mobile Text Messages 4 0.00 % 2,626 0.18% 2,629 0.15 %

Telephone: Mobile Unauthorized Charges or Debits 23 0.00 % 782 0.05% 599 0.03 %

Telephone: Other 1,792 0.13 % 10,149 0.69% 10,892 0.60 %

Telephone: Prepaid Phone Cards 605 0.04 % 950 0.07% 2,903 0.16 %

Telephone: Unauthorized Charges or Debits 9,047 0.64 % 7,909 0.54% 3,991 0.22 %

Telephone: VoIP Services 426 0.03 % 441 0.03% 833 0.05 %

Unsolicited Faxes 533 0.04 % 520 0.04% 551 0.03 %

Count/Percentage: 16,455 1.16% 42,576 2.92% 70,024 3.86%

Television and Electronic Media

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

DVD/Video/Film 536 0.04 % 597 0.04% 906 0.05 %

Music: All Formats 572 0.04 % 674 0.05% 603 0.03 %

Television (Programming and Advertisements) 328 0.02 % 269 0.02% 1,402 0.08 %

Television: Satellite & Cable 27,760 1.96 % 28,522 1.95% 34,680 1.91 %

Count/Percentage: 29,190 2.06% 30,057 2.06% 37,404 2.06%

Travel, Vacations and Timeshare Plans

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Timeshare Resales 819 0.06 % 2,165 0.15% 5,089 0.28 %

Timeshare Sales 3,032 0.21 % 3,662 0.25% 6,694 0.37 %

Travel\Vacations 13,946 0.98 % 15,739 1.08% 21,044 1.16 %

Count/Percentage: 17,758 1.25% 21,500 1.47% 32,736 1.81%
Appendix B3: Consumer Sentinel Network Complaint Category Details1

Federal Trade Commission Page 86 of 103 Released February 2012

Calendar Years 2009 through 2011

1Percentages are based on the total number of CSN complaints for each calendar year: CY-2009 = 1,419,030; CY-2010 = 1,460,368; 

CY-2011 = 1,813,080. Note that counts and percentages may not add up to the total in each category because CSN complaints may 

have multiple product service codes. 

Miscellaneous Complaints

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Alcoholic Beverages 47 0.00% 49 0.00% 36 0.00%

Children's Products 93 0.01% 360 0.02% 1,589 0.09%

Food 1,827 0.13% 1,301 0.09% 1,006 0.06%

Funeral Services 280 0.02% 408 0.03% 1,228 0.07%

Health Care Provider Billing 616 0.04% 760 0.05% 836 0.05%

IDT Protection or Prevention 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 258 0.01%

Immigration Services 82 0.01% 117 0.01% 1,174 0.06%

Insurance (Other than Medical) 2,273 0.16% 2,170 0.15% 2,041 0.11%

Leasing: Business 576 0.04% 528 0.04% 526 0.03%

Leasing: Consumer 117 0.01% 417 0.03% 0 0.00%

Modeling Agencies\Services 565 0.04% 498 0.03% 918 0.05%

Mortgage Servicing 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 67 0.00%

Multi-Level Mktg\Pyramids\Chain Letters 2,569 0.18% 2,278 0.16% 1,942 0.11%

Personal Care Products 999 0.07% 881 0.06% 532 0.03%

Property\Inheritance Tracers 681 0.05% 1,351 0.09% 1,728 0.10%

Tobacco Products 16 0.00% 295 0.02% 887 0.05%

Utilities 2,988 0.21% 3,695 0.25% 2,810 0.15%

Video Games 1,285 0.09% 1,416 0.10% 1,923 0.11%

Unspecified Complaints

Product Service CY - 2009 Percentage1 CY - 2010 Percentage1 CY - 2011 Percentage1

Other (Note in Comments) 147,389 10.39% 196,329 13.44% 187,442 10.34%

Telemarketing, Other 35,168 2.48% 38,402 2.63% 62,381 3.44%

Unauthorized Debits or Charges for Unknown Products 4,411 0.31% 2,585 0.18% 1,874 0.10%

Unsolicited Email 36 0.00% 26,781 1.83% 29,858 1.65%
1Average amount paid is based on the total number of fraud complaints where amount paid was reported by consumers from the respective States.

Appendix C: Consumer Sentinel Network Fraud Complaints 

& Amount Paid Reported by State and the District of Columbia 

January 1 – December 31, 2011

State Name

Total Fraud 

Complaints

Total Amount 

Paid Reported

 Complaints 

Reporting 

Amount Paid 

Percentages 

Reporting 

Amount Paid

Average 

Amount 

Paid1

Alabama 13,013 $13,696,705 9,544 73% $1,435

Alaska 2,157 $3,606,750 1,627 75% $2,217

Arizona 20,029 $29,343,521 13,975 70% $2,100

Arkansas 6,856 $7,129,601 4,999 73% $1,426

California 100,269 $210,644,569 74,187 74% $2,839

Colorado 18,798 $27,886,397 13,607 72% $2,049

Connecticut 9,110 $13,174,337 6,504 71% $2,026

Delaware 2,876 $2,667,125 1,883 65% $1,416

Dist. of Columbia 3,035 $3,593,643 2,146 71% $1,675

Florida 59,517 $95,587,997 42,954 72% $2,225

Georgia 25,051 $30,461,791 17,045 68% $1,787

Hawaii 3,849 $10,027,028 2,774 72% $3,615

Idaho 4,634 $5,563,325 3,166 68% $1,757

Illinois 32,711 $47,103,389 22,089 68% $2,132

Indiana 16,880 $18,964,939 12,294 73% $1,543

Iowa 6,384 $9,095,726 4,548 71% $2,000

Kansas 7,170 $7,732,833 5,086 71% $1,520

Kentucky 9,714 $11,391,352 6,330 65% $1,800

Louisiana 11,571 $15,600,704 8,591 74% $1,816

Maine 3,086 $4,470,743 2,196 71% $2,036

Maryland 18,920 $27,781,883 13,287 70% $2,091

Massachusetts 17,214 $21,930,423 12,542 73% $1,749

Michigan 25,187 $26,902,907 16,850 67% $1,597

Minnesota 13,008 $14,834,746 8,908 68% $1,665

Mississippi 6,167 $5,128,824 4,321 70% $1,187

Missouri 15,740 $17,161,126 10,304 65% $1,665

Montana 2,838 $4,678,640 2,096 74% $2,232

Nebraska 4,255 $6,374,204 2,868 67% $2,223

Nevada 8,978 $15,248,259 6,533 73% $2,334

New Hampshire 3,656 $4,033,570 2,598 71% $1,553

New Jersey 24,033 $34,807,996 16,534 69% $2,105

New Mexico 5,347 $8,698,789 4,070 76% $2,137

New York 48,364 $68,059,228 33,480 69% $2,033

North Carolina 24,380 $29,639,220 16,603 68% $1,785

North Dakota 1,161 $1,290,267 836 72% $1,543

Ohio 34,331 $38,629,773 23,693 69% $1,630

Oklahoma 8,421 $13,472,384 5,881 70% $2,291

Oregon 11,695 $17,287,231 8,349 71% $2,071

Pennsylvania 33,795 $42,142,000 23,418 69% $1,800

Rhode Island 2,606 $3,628,193 1,891 73% $1,919

South Carolina 11,886 $13,023,871 8,103 68% $1,607

South Dakota 1,517 $1,765,594 1,061 70% $1,664

Tennessee 17,011 $24,283,978 11,842 70% $2,051

Texas 61,252 $87,560,336 42,694 70% $2,051

Utah 6,987 $9,727,449 4,748 68% $2,049

Vermont 1,507 $2,047,296 1,105 73% $1,853

Virginia 25,498 $34,127,723 17,940 70% $1,902

Washington 21,660 $32,389,064 15,168 70% $2,135

West Virginia 3,938 $4,709,957 2,952 75% $1,596

Wisconsin 15,086 $18,825,545 9,839 65% $1,913

Wyoming 1,547 $3,354,240 1,132 73% $2,963

Federal Trade Commission Page 87 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Abilene, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 613 384.7 323

Adrian, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 448 442.5 233

Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,184 598.3 46

Albany, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 636 387.6 315

Albany-Lebanon, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area 643 567.7 69

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,600 421.9 260

Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,627 434.3 244

Alexandria, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 684 456.5 212

Allegan, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 880 780.4 10

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,259 529.8 112

Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 548 436.6 242

Amarillo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 918 379.0 328

Anchorage, AK Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,037 562.2 76

Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 695 529.3 113

Anderson, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,092 606.7 42

Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,302 657.7 24

Anniston-Oxford, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 851 752.4 14

Appleton, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,619 742.6 15

Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,138 528.8 114

Ashtabula, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 553 546.8 91

Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 889 474.4 188

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 24,636 466.7 201

Atlantic City, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,484 548.3 87

Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 665 509.5 135

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,372 448.8 221

Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area 401 331.8 368

Austin-Round Rock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,347 522.3 122

Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,053 386.1 321

Baltimore-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 13,985 524.2 120

Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 560 376.4 332

Barnstable Town, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 983 442.4 234

Baton Rouge, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,387 439.8 240

Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 673 492.6 161

Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 661 614.8 38

Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,378 366.3 346

Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,116 578.2 64

Bend, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 797 517.4 128

Billings, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 587 392.2 309

Binghamton, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 956 387.9 314

Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,617 506.9 139

Bismarck, ND Metropolitan Statistical Area 260 251.8 381

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 632 401.0 289

Bloomington, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 943 513.2 131

Bloomington-Normal, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 648 394.6 305

Bluefield, WV-VA Micropolitan Statistical Area 366 347.9 360

Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,047 518.5 127

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area 17,881 398.9 294

Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,566 884.0 5

Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 489 421.5 261

Bremerton-Silverdale, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,369 578.3 63

Federal Trade Commission Page 88 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,457 386.3 320

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 732 189.0 383

Brunswick, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 535 525.6 119

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,272 378.7 329

Burlington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 863 593.7 50

Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area 766 369.4 341

Canton-Massillon, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,072 508.9 137

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,931 496.3 156

Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,067 422.1 259

Chambersburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 556 392.5 308

Champaign-Urbana, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 787 356.2 352

Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,001 329.3 370

Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,995 475.3 185

Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,534 516.7 130

Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,214 629.7 31

Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,146 611.4 40

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 38,686 406.2 280

Chico, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,036 473.5 189

Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 9,636 451.6 220

Clarksville, TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,505 574.8 65

Cleveland, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 506 455.4 214

Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 11,429 545.2 93

Coeur d'Alene, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 813 604.7 43

College Station-Bryan, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 910 447.5 224

Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,495 902.2 3

Columbia, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 648 399.2 292

Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,505 489.5 168

Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,663 588.1 54

Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,942 509.7 134

Concord, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area 831 560.4 80

Cookeville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area 393 386.5 319

Corpus Christi, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,448 349.4 359

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 30,244 492.2 163

Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 608 453.6 218

Danville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 448 423.5 256

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area 792 461.1 207

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,372 364.7 347

Dayton, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,158 497.6 153

Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 618 414.0 273

Decatur, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 395 363.3 348

Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,487 497.0 154

Denver-Aurora, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 15,234 618.0 36

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,059 376.7 331

Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 16,886 378.0 330

Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 695 498.2 152

Dover, DE Metropolitan Statistical Area 977 641.7 27

Duluth, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,018 371.1 340

Dunn, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 969 891.3 4

Durham, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,107 647.8 26

East Liverpool-Salem, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 593 545.5 92

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 89 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

East Stroudsburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,056 641.1 28

Eau Claire, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 621 393.5 307

El Centro, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 415 256.4 380

El Paso, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,613 355.7 354

Elizabethtown, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 689 617.3 37

Elkhart-Goshen, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 808 408.2 278

Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,123 402.4 287

Eugene-Springfield, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,646 479.1 180

Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area 597 463.3 206

Evansville, IN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,417 405.2 282

Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 622 323.3 373

Farmington, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 434 354.5 355

Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,223 637.1 29

Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,926 442.0 235

Flagstaff, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 677 531.2 110

Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,977 454.8 217

Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 716 360.3 350

Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 478 333.9 366

Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,192 762.2 13

Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,067 368.3 344

Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 976 537.7 104

Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,086 508.7 138

Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,633 404.0 284

Gadsden, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 844 817.7 8

Gainesville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,392 541.4 97

Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,194 662.7 22

Gettysburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 601 596.4 47

Glens Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 557 432.2 248

Goldsboro, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 517 455.1 216

Grand Junction, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 564 405.5 281

Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,805 489.9 167

Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,306 946.1 1

Green Bay, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,282 425.7 252

Greensboro-High Point, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,679 526.7 118

Greenville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 897 520.1 125

Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,095 504.2 145

Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,311 566.3 72

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,315 503.4 146

Hammond, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area 572 495.7 157

Hanford-Corcoran, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 513 344.6 364

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,735 517.1 129

Harrisonburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 538 457.6 210

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,459 375.0 334

Hattiesburg, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 573 414.8 271

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,537 426.4 251

Hilo, HI Micropolitan Statistical Area 827 477.9 183

Hilton Head Island-Beaufort, SC Micropolitan Statistical Area 812 479.7 178

Holland-Grand Haven, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,201 463.3 205

Homosassa Springs, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area 835 595.7 48

Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,693 407.8 279

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 90 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 531 264.0 379

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 23,534 418.2 266

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,068 376.0 333

Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,075 536.7 105

Idaho Falls, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 568 475.7 184

Indianapolis-Carmel, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,527 503.1 148

Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 913 620.9 34

Ithaca, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 485 479.9 177

Jackson, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 810 496.9 155

Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,969 368.7 342

Jackson, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 565 501.5 150

Jacksonville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,463 573.7 66

Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 879 540.1 99

Jamestown-Dunkirk-Fredonia, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 391 291.9 377

Janesville, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 897 561.9 77

Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 894 613.6 39

Johnson City, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 861 444.8 228

Johnstown, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 577 397.9 295

Jonesboro, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 456 391.7 312

Joplin, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 563 328.7 372

Kahului-Wailuku, HI Micropolitan Statistical Area 630 444.3 230

Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,347 726.0 17

Kankakee-Bradley, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 470 424.6 254

Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,809 443.7 231

Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,011 441.5 237

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,081 562.4 75

Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,515 498.9 151

Kingston, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,082 595.0 49

Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,447 505.8 143

La Crosse, WI-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 539 411.7 276

Lafayette, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,025 533.4 108

Lafayette, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,140 444.5 229

Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,036 539.8 100

Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 934 479.1 179

Lakeland, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,933 510.3 133

Lancaster, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,995 400.2 290

Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,975 432.7 246

Laredo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 444 190.4 382

Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 789 396.9 298

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 9,548 519.9 126

Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 507 446.7 225

Lawton, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 624 548.3 88

Lebanon, NH-VT Micropolitan Statistical Area 681 397.3 296

Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 745 582.5 60

Lewiston-Auburn, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 369 345.5 362

Lexington Park, MD Micropolitan Statistical Area 492 490.1 166

Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,263 506.1 142

Lima, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 471 447.6 223

Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,157 395.9 302

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,651 547.9 89

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 91 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Logan, UT-ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 406 335.3 365

Longview, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 849 417.0 268

Longview, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 484 481.8 175

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 49,239 382.4 324

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,829 472.5 193

Lubbock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,132 423.6 255

Lumberton, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 533 415.9 269

Lynchburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,313 539.0 101

Macon, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,111 483.4 173

Madera, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 720 491.4 165

Madison, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,670 480.5 176

Manchester-Nashua, NH Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,778 442.0 236

Manhattan, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area 663 583.5 58

Mansfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 597 475.0 186

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,113 156.6 384

Medford, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,155 579.5 61

Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,643 440.7 238

Merced, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 945 384.9 322

Meridian, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area 318 303.9 376

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 25,320 467.7 197

Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 519 472.7 192

Midland, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 500 395.5 303

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6,538 423.3 257

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 13,631 424.9 253

Missoula, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 584 552.8 84

Mobile, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,773 438.4 241

Modesto, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,041 399.2 293

Monroe, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 928 538.7 102

Monroe, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 897 584.0 57

Montgomery, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,638 447.6 222

Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 625 530.7 111

Morristown, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 770 572.1 68

Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 970 833.4 7

Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 563 487.8 172

Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 798 457.6 211

Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,585 634.2 30

Napa, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 721 543.9 95

Naples-Marco Island, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,367 432.8 245

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,962 523.3 121

New Bern, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 699 585.2 55

New Haven-Milford, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,344 395.5 304

New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,207 505.4 144

New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 78,868 419.2 265

Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 732 458.7 209

Norwich-New London, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,036 387.5 316

Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,218 682.8 20

Odessa, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 511 394.4 306

Ogden-Clearfield, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,031 391.8 311

Ogdensburg-Massena, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 342 311.4 375

Oklahoma City, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,675 391.9 310

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 92 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Olympia, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,333 558.8 81

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,850 463.9 204

Orlando-Kissimmee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10,947 538.6 103

Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,170 721.5 19

Ottawa-Streator, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area 511 332.5 367

Owensboro, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 369 329.2 371

Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,945 494.1 159

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,826 527.1 117

Panama City-Lynn Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 920 561.0 79

Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 582 362.3 349

Pascagoula, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 743 488.7 171

Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,429 535.7 107

Peoria, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,708 460.1 208

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 27,241 467.4 198

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 19,577 468.4 196

Pine Bluff, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 374 368.5 343

Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 11,516 488.9 170

Pittsfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 484 372.9 338

Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,476 618.8 35

Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,793 349.4 358

Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10,945 503.2 147

Pottsville, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 859 583.3 59

Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,813 419.9 264

Prescott, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,200 564.3 73

Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,561 347.4 361

Provo-Orem, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,846 374.2 336

Pueblo, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 761 492.4 162

Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,029 673.4 21

Racine, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,029 527.4 116

Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,701 544.2 94

Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 467 388.3 313

Reading, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,199 547.1 90

Redding, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 884 492.7 160

Reno-Sparks, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,326 566.9 71

Richmond, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,162 590.4 53

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 16,951 415.3 270

Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,192 739.2 16

Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 717 396.0 301

Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,162 403.9 286

Rockford, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,563 443.7 232

Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 912 626.4 32

Roseburg, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area 754 724.2 18

Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9,931 474.9 187

Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 990 489.4 169

Salem, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,596 412.7 274

Salinas, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,499 367.7 345

Salisbury, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 475 397.1 297

Salisbury, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 814 592.5 51

Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,627 420.6 263

San Angelo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 387 358.1 351

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 93 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

San Antonio, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,607 432.4 247

San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15,072 506.6 140

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 19,833 471.8 194

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,780 431.3 249

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,226 467.2 199

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,564 386.9 318

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,122 445.7 226

Santa Fe, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 932 652.0 25

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,117 455.8 213

Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,687 536.5 106

Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,869 567.5 70

Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,487 452.7 219

Seaford, DE Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,104 599.1 45

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 17,212 520.1 124

Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 686 520.3 123

Sheboygan, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 436 380.8 325

Sherman-Denison, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 953 803.0 9

Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,806 466.0 202

Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Micropolitan Statistical Area 748 585.0 56

Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 508 355.8 353

Sioux Falls, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 901 396.6 299

South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,743 550.5 86

Spartanburg, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,287 467.1 200

Spokane, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,526 553.7 83

Springfield, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 783 379.0 327

Springfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,730 399.9 291

Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,976 470.5 195

Springfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 927 659.9 23

St. Cloud, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 690 371.9 339

St. George, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 738 551.6 85

St. Joseph, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 511 414.3 272

St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 13,894 495.6 158

State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 618 427.2 250

Statesville-Mooresville, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 851 561.9 78

Staunton-Waynesboro, VA Micropolitan Statistical Area 629 540.3 98

Stockton, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,699 402.2 288

Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 421 405.0 283

Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,053 473.1 191

Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,804 512.0 132

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 14,798 543.3 96

Terre Haute, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 584 344.9 363

Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 551 410.5 277

Thomasville-Lexington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 1,437 918.0 2

Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,742 421.2 262

Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,389 607.4 41

Torrington, CT Micropolitan Statistical Area 746 396.2 300

Traverse City, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 499 351.2 357

Trenton-Ewing, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,664 455.3 215

Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,578 473.4 190

Tulsa, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 3,985 440.0 239

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 94 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D1: Fraud and Other Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Tupelo, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area 746 564.1 74

Tuscaloosa, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 990 482.4 174

Tyler, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,109 558.1 82

Utica-Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,191 403.9 285

Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 486 373.4 337

Vallejo-Fairfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,367 579.3 62

Victoria, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 376 330.4 369

Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 641 412.1 275

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,836 532.7 109

Visalia-Porterville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,833 434.8 243

Waco, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 855 374.8 335

Warner Robins, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 776 592.3 52

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 33,023 622.3 33

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 632 386.9 317

Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 561 478.7 181

Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 991 762.6 12

Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 624 509.1 136

Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 447 417.1 267

Wheeling, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 511 351.3 356

Whitewater, WI Micropolitan Statistical Area 609 604.2 44

Wichita Falls, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 744 502.2 149

Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,520 422.5 258

Williamsport, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 542 464.0 203

Willimantic, CT Micropolitan Statistical Area 576 492.1 164

Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,513 445.6 227

Winchester, VA-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,041 859.0 6

Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,654 573.0 67

Wooster, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 875 770.6 11

Worcester, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,969 380.0 326

Yakima, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 742 318.4 374

York-Hanover, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,225 528.4 115

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,728 478.0 182

Yuba City, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 831 506.3 141

Yuma, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 510 267.6 378

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred thousand or more. Ranking is based 

on the number of fraud and other complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office 

of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Federal Trade Commission Page 95 of 103 Released February 2012

Note: In calculating the State and Metropolitan Areas rankings, we excluded nine State-specific data contributors’ complaints (the Minnesota Department of 

Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, and the Offices of the Attorneys General for Idaho, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington).
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Abilene, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 96 60.2 278

Adrian, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 64 63.2 257

Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 589 84.2 148

Albany, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 245 149.3 10

Albany-Lebanon, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area 84 74.2 205

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 541 63.4 255

Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 820 98.2 103

Alexandria, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 125 83.4 156

Allegan, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 123 109.1 68

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 749 93.2 118

Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 53 42.2 361

Amarillo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 185 76.4 186

Anchorage, AK Metropolitan Statistical Area 206 56.9 295

Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 77 58.6 284

Anderson, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 201 111.7 59

Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 424 121.1 37

Anniston-Oxford, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 94 83.1 158

Appleton, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 142 65.1 246

Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 275 68.0 233

Ashtabula, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 60 59.3 282

Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 206 109.9 64

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,787 147.5 11

Atlantic City, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 300 110.8 60

Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 121 92.7 120

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 532 100.7 92

Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area 59 48.8 333

Austin-Round Rock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,367 85.5 143

Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,005 127.1 28

Baltimore-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,298 86.1 139

Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 59 39.7 367

Barnstable Town, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 124 55.8 302

Baton Rouge, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 760 98.7 98

Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 79 57.8 286

Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 106 98.6 102

Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 308 81.9 166

Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 127 65.8 242

Bend, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 99 64.3 251

Billings, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 63 42.1 362

Binghamton, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 112 45.4 348

Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,151 103.9 82

Bismarck, ND Metropolitan Statistical Area 22 21.3 384

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 59 37.4 373

Bloomington, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 105 57.1 291

Bloomington-Normal, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 80 48.7 334

Bluefield, WV-VA Micropolitan Statistical Area 34 32.3 380

Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 298 50.7 326

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,924 65.2 245

Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 293 100.9 91

Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 53 45.7 345

Bremerton-Silverdale, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 177 74.8 199

Federal Trade Commission Page 96 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 677 75.6 191

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 435 112.3 55

Brunswick, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 72 70.7 222

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 642 56.9 294

Burlington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 149 102.5 87

Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area 110 53.0 316

Canton-Massillon, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 253 62.1 264

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 678 114.8 49

Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 132 52.2 319

Chambersburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 65 45.9 344

Champaign-Urbana, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 117 53.0 318

Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 136 44.7 351

Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 470 74.6 201

Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,558 94.3 114

Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 120 62.2 263

Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 436 84.7 145

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8,915 93.6 116

Chico, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 214 97.8 104

Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,405 65.8 241

Clarksville, TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 197 75.2 196

Cleveland, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 60 54.0 311

Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,224 106.1 76

Coeur d'Alene, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 60 44.6 352

College Station-Bryan, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 175 86.0 140

Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 496 81.4 169

Columbia, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 76 46.8 341

Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 624 87.1 134

Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 463 163.7 4

Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,248 71.1 220

Concord, NH Micropolitan Statistical Area 79 53.3 314

Cookeville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area 56 55.1 306

Corpus Christi, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 491 118.5 44

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7,171 116.7 47

Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 138 103.0 85

Danville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 41 38.8 369

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL Micropolitan Statistical Area 142 82.7 162

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 180 47.9 337

Dayton, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 528 63.2 258

Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 123 82.4 164

Decatur, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 56 51.5 325

Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 498 99.5 96

Denver-Aurora, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,394 97.1 107

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 282 51.6 323

Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,321 119.1 42

Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 183 131.2 25

Dover, DE Metropolitan Statistical Area 125 82.1 165

Duluth, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 149 54.3 309

Dunn, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 177 162.8 5

Durham, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 526 109.7 66

East Liverpool-Salem, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 55 50.6 327

Federal Trade Commission Page 97 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

East Stroudsburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 174 105.6 77

Eau Claire, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 69 43.7 356

El Centro, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 175 108.1 70

El Paso, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,009 137.3 18

Elizabethtown, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 84 75.3 195

Elkhart-Goshen, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 143 72.2 213

Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 196 70.2 223

Eugene-Springfield, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 194 56.5 297

Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area 74 57.4 289

Evansville, IN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 167 47.8 338

Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 69 35.9 377

Farmington, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 45 36.8 376

Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 395 113.2 53

Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 263 60.4 276

Flagstaff, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 110 86.3 137

Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 366 84.2 149

Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 179 90.1 127

Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 74 51.7 322

Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 281 97.7 105

Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 173 59.7 280

Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 146 80.4 173

Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 274 66.8 236

Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,227 136.4 19

Gadsden, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 113 109.5 67

Gainesville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 288 112.0 57

Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 261 144.9 13

Gettysburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 113 112.1 56

Glens Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 55 42.7 359

Goldsboro, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 133 117.1 46

Grand Junction, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 88 63.3 256

Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 473 60.9 272

Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 403 165.3 3

Green Bay, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 156 51.8 321

Greensboro-High Point, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 634 90.8 123

Greenville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 137 79.4 177

Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 515 83.9 151

Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 199 86.0 141

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 163 62.4 262

Hammond, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area 124 107.5 73

Hanford-Corcoran, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 137 92.0 121

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 396 74.9 197

Harrisonburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 48 40.8 363

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 797 67.0 235

Hattiesburg, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 102 73.8 207

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 266 73.8 208

Hilo, HI Micropolitan Statistical Area 98 56.6 296

Hilton Head Island-Beaufort, SC Micropolitan Statistical Area 167 98.7 100

Holland-Grand Haven, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 148 57.1 292

Homosassa Springs, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area 151 107.7 71

Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area 411 45.4 349

Federal Trade Commission Page 98 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 81 40.3 365

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6,294 111.8 58

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 137 48.2 335

Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 323 83.5 153

Idaho Falls, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 45 37.7 371

Indianapolis-Carmel, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,423 84.0 150

Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 103 70.0 224

Ithaca, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 51 50.5 329

Jackson, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 113 69.3 228

Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 672 125.8 31

Jackson, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 80 71.0 221

Jacksonville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,411 108.5 69

Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 133 81.7 167

Jamestown-Dunkirk-Fredonia, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 43 32.1 381

Janesville, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 98 61.4 270

Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 128 87.9 132

Johnson City, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 88 45.5 347

Johnstown, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 72 49.7 331

Jonesboro, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 84 72.2 214

Joplin, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 92 53.7 312

Kahului-Wailuku, HI Micropolitan Statistical Area 45 31.7 383

Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 307 95.0 111

Kankakee-Bradley, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 88 79.5 176

Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,401 120.9 38

Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 226 98.7 99

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 389 105.1 78

Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 210 69.2 230

Kingston, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 157 86.3 136

Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 383 56.2 298

La Crosse, WI-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 49 37.4 374

Lafayette, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 146 76.0 188

Lafayette, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 162 63.2 259

Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 83 43.2 357

Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 159 81.6 168

Lakeland, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 819 142.5 14

Lancaster, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 317 63.6 254

Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 247 54.1 310

Laredo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 310 133.0 24

Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 246 123.7 33

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,839 100.1 94

Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 68 59.9 279

Lawton, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 121 106.3 75

Lebanon, NH-VT Micropolitan Statistical Area 69 40.3 366

Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 130 101.7 90

Lewiston-Auburn, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 51 47.7 339

Lexington Park, MD Micropolitan Statistical Area 69 68.7 231

Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 272 60.8 273

Lima, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 81 77.0 182

Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area 110 37.6 372

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 757 113.6 51

Federal Trade Commission Page 99 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Logan, UT-ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 67 55.3 305

Longview, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 189 92.8 119

Longview, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 67 66.7 237

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15,380 119.5 40

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 673 54.5 308

Lubbock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 195 73.0 212

Lumberton, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 109 85.1 144

Lynchburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 117 48.0 336

Macon, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 320 139.2 16

Madera, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 223 152.2 8

Madison, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 343 61.7 269

Manchester-Nashua, NH Metropolitan Statistical Area 210 52.2 320

Manhattan, KS Micropolitan Statistical Area 79 69.5 225

Mansfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 92 73.2 211

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 876 123.3 34

Medford, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 143 71.8 217

Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,613 126.0 30

Merced, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 320 130.3 27

Meridian, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area 85 81.2 170

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 17,546 324.1 1

Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 79 72.0 215

Midland, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 82 64.9 249

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,167 75.6 193

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,982 61.8 268

Missoula, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 59 55.8 301

Mobile, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 301 74.4 203

Modesto, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 486 95.1 109

Monroe, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 138 80.1 175

Monroe, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 170 110.7 63

Montgomery, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 617 168.6 2

Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 73 62.0 266

Morristown, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 112 83.2 157

Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 115 98.8 97

Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 66 57.2 290

Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 111 63.7 253

Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 179 71.6 218

Napa, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 158 119.2 41

Naples-Marco Island, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 421 133.3 23

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,156 76.0 187

New Bern, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 147 123.1 35

New Haven-Milford, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 641 75.8 190

New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 979 95.0 110

New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 20,123 106.9 74

Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 139 87.1 135

Norwich-New London, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area 156 58.3 285

Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 424 130.5 26

Odessa, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 99 76.4 185

Ogden-Clearfield, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 287 55.4 304

Ogdensburg-Massena, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 47 42.8 358

Oklahoma City, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 854 71.6 219

Federal Trade Commission Page 100 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Olympia, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 197 82.6 163

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 515 62.1 265

Orlando-Kissimmee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,989 147.1 12

Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 96 59.2 283

Ottawa-Streator, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area 68 44.3 353

Owensboro, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 52 46.4 342

Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 803 100.6 93

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 507 94.6 113

Panama City-Lynn Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 157 95.7 108

Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 52 32.4 379

Pascagoula, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 115 75.6 192

Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 339 74.8 200

Peoria, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 177 47.7 340

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 6,615 113.5 52

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,078 97.6 106

Pine Bluff, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 122 120.2 39

Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,507 64.0 252

Pittsfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 65 50.1 330

Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 642 160.5 6

Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area 198 38.6 370

Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,460 67.1 234

Pottsville, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area 154 104.6 81

Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 432 64.5 250

Prescott, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 176 82.8 160

Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 877 54.8 307

Provo-Orem, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 249 50.5 328

Pueblo, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 145 93.8 115

Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 216 141.3 15

Racine, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 162 83.0 159

Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 897 85.6 142

Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 45 37.4 375

Reading, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 401 99.8 95

Redding, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 139 77.5 181

Reno-Sparks, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 306 74.6 202

Richmond, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 983 81.0 171

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,091 124.7 32

Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 180 60.7 274

Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 77 42.5 360

Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 683 66.3 239

Rockford, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 311 88.3 130

Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 171 117.4 45

Roseburg, OR Micropolitan Statistical Area 79 75.9 189

Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,979 94.6 112

Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 140 69.2 229

Salem, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 217 56.1 300

Salinas, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 365 89.5 128

Salisbury, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 69 57.7 288

Salisbury, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 109 79.3 178

Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 666 60.5 275

San Angelo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 58 53.7 313

Federal Trade Commission Page 101 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

San Antonio, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,048 102.9 86

San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,722 91.5 122

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,521 107.5 72

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,606 89.0 129

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 220 83.8 152

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 326 80.7 172

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 279 110.8 61

Santa Fe, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 141 98.6 101

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 350 75.4 194

Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 761 110.7 62

Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 492 149.4 9

Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 408 74.3 204

Seaford, DE Micropolitan Statistical Area 145 78.7 180

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,796 84.5 147

Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 157 119.1 43

Sheboygan, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 53 46.3 343

Sherman-Denison, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 159 134.0 22

Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 240 61.9 267

Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Micropolitan Statistical Area 148 115.7 48

Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 76 53.2 315

Sioux Falls, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 77 33.9 378

South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 262 82.7 161

Spartanburg, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 230 83.5 155

Spokane, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 297 65.1 247

Springfield, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 129 62.4 261

Springfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 511 74.9 198

Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 321 76.4 184

Springfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 119 84.7 146

St. Cloud, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 82 44.2 354

St. George, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 88 65.8 243

St. Joseph, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 115 93.2 117

St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,831 65.3 244

State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 46 31.8 382

Statesville-Mooresville, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 155 102.3 88

Staunton-Waynesboro, VA Micropolitan Statistical Area 53 45.5 346

Stockton, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 691 103.0 84

Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 80 77.0 183

Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 373 57.8 287

Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 480 136.2 20

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 4,255 156.2 7

Terre Haute, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 69 40.7 364

Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 92 68.5 232

Thomasville-Lexington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area 213 136.1 21

Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 574 88.2 131

Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 233 101.9 89

Torrington, CT Micropolitan Statistical Area 97 51.5 324

Traverse City, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area 70 49.3 332

Trenton-Ewing, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 315 86.2 138

Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 876 90.6 125

Tulsa, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 589 65.0 248

Federal Trade Commission Page 102 of 103 Released February 2012
Appendix D2: Identity Theft Consumer Complaints 

by Largest Metropolitan Areas (in alphabetical order)1

January 1 – December 31, 2011

1This chart illustrates Metropolitan Areas (Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas) with a population of one hundred 

thousand or more. Ranking is based on the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 inhabitants for each Metropolitan 

Area. Metropolitan Areas presented here are those defined by the Office of Management and Budget as of December 2006 and the 

population estimates are based on the 2007 U.S. Census table CBSA-EST2007-01. 

Metropolitan Area Complaints

Complaints 

Per 100,000 

Population Rank

Tupelo, MS Micropolitan Statistical Area 98 74.1 206

Tuscaloosa, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 215 104.8 80

Tyler, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 218 109.7 65

Utica-Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 164 55.6 303

Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 179 137.5 17

Vallejo-Fairfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 462 113.1 54

Victoria, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 95 83.5 154

Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 141 90.6 124

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 1,218 73.4 210

Visalia-Porterville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 533 126.4 29

Waco, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 168 73.6 209

Warner Robins, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 149 113.7 50

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 5,568 104.9 79

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 64 39.2 368

Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Micropolitan Statistical Area 53 45.2 350

Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 73 56.2 299

Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 65 53.0 317

Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 61 56.9 293

Wheeling, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 64 44.0 355

Whitewater, WI Micropolitan Statistical Area 70 69.4 226

Wichita Falls, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 88 59.4 281

Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 393 65.9 240

Williamsport, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 81 69.3 227

Willimantic, CT Micropolitan Statistical Area 78 66.6 238

Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 207 61.0 271

Winchester, VA-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 87 71.8 216

Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 418 90.2 126

Wooster, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area 91 80.1 174

Worcester, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area 471 60.3 277

Yakima, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 204 87.5 133

York-Hanover, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 435 103.3 83

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 357 62.6 260

Yuba City, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 199 121.2 36

Yuma, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 151 79.2 179

Federal Trade Commission Page 103 of 103 Released February 2012