Identity Theft in Maryland: #9 State Nationally, 21,260 Reports (2025 YTD)

Executive Summary

Maryland faces an identity theft crisis of exceptional scale, ranking #9 nationally by per-capita rate (345 reports per 100K) but #1 by absolute numbers with 21,260 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 106% of 2024's full-year total of 19,992. This represents approximately 78 new victims every single day across Maryland, with one new victim every 18.5 minutes around the clock. Maryland is on track to exceed 2024's record-breaking numbers.

The concentration of identity theft in Maryland reflects the state's massive population (39.5 million—largest in the nation), economic significance, and unique vulnerabilities. Maryland's major metropolitan areas face elevated identity theft risks. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for Maryland residents.

Multiple factors converge to create Maryland's elevated risk profile: massive population creating scale, high cost of living attracting high-value targets, technology industry concentration creating sophisticated fraud schemes, diverse immigrant populations navigating complex financial systems, and extensive online commerce creating digital vulnerabilities. The state's economic significance—representing 14% of U.S. GDP—makes it a prime target for identity thieves seeking maximum financial gain. Maryland's 2025 YTD fraud data shows 215,071 fraud reports with $1.7 billion in total losses, highlighting the scale of the threat.

Understanding Maryland's Identity Theft Crisis

Why Maryland Ranks #8 in Identity Theft Statistics

Federal Employee Target Value: Maryland's massive federal workforce—including employees at NSA, NIH, FDA, Social Security Administration, and dozens of other agencies—maintains high credit limits and substantial assets due to stable government salaries and security clearance requirements. Federal employees undergo extensive background checks documenting their entire financial history, ironically creating comprehensive dossiers that sophisticated criminals seek to exploit. Government imposter scams generated 9,765 reports with $26.5 million in losses, often involving fake federal agency officials targeting federal employees' knowledge of government procedures.

DC Commuter Corridor Complexity: The 500,000+ Marylanders commuting to Washington DC create jurisdictional confusion that criminals exploit. Fraud originating in DC but targeting Maryland residents creates investigation gaps. Phone or utilities fraud (2,881 reports) often involves accounts opened in DC using Maryland residents' stolen identities, with bills sent to DC addresses that victims never see until collections begin.

Fort Meade and NSA Cybersecurity Paradox: Fort Meade hosts NSA headquarters and U.S. Cyber Command—the epicenter of American cybersecurity operations. Yet Maryland's identity theft rates remain elevated, suggesting cybersecurity professionals themselves face targeting. Criminals specifically research NSA and cyber command employees, knowing their high clearance levels and technical skills make them both valuable targets and potentially embarrassing victims reluctant to report fraud that might jeopardize security clearances.

Biotechnology and Research Sector: Maryland's biotechnology corridor, anchored by NIH and Johns Hopkins University, creates concentrated research data and intellectual property. Business imposter scams (9,367 reports, $24.1 million) often target biotech companies with fake vendor invoices, fraudulent research equipment suppliers, and business email compromise schemes redirecting grant payments.

Regional Worry Underrepresents Risk: Despite Maryland's elevated vulnerability, only 63.1% of South region respondents worry most about identity theft. Maryland's actual rate of 436 per 100K demands higher vigilance, but the state's affluent, educated population may assume their sophistication protects them—creating dangerous overconfidence that criminals exploit.

Baltimore Port and Logistics Hub: The Port of Baltimore handles 10.7 million tons of cargo annually, creating international commerce vulnerabilities. Business fraud targeting import/export companies, customs brokers, and logistics operations contributes to Maryland's elevated business imposter scam rates, with criminals intercepting legitimate shipping payments and documentation.

The Human and Economic Impact

Behind Maryland's 19,992 identity theft reports in 2024 (and 21,260 already in 2025 YTD) are real people whose lives were disrupted:

• Significant financial losses that can impact ability to secure loans, housing, or employment in Maryland's competitive market
• Years of credit damage affecting ability to secure mortgages in Maryland's competitive market
• Emotional trauma—stress, anxiety, violation feelings—persisting long after resolution
• Employment challenges—many Maryland employers conduct credit checks, and identity theft damage can prevent job offers
• Housing difficulties—damaged credit prevents securing rentals or mortgages in Maryland's expensive market
• Significant time investment resolving fraudulent accounts and correcting credit reports

For Maryland families, consequences extend beyond immediate losses to include difficulty securing housing in the competitive market (where credit checks are standard), higher insurance premiums, employment challenges (tech companies often require security clearances), and potential wrongful arrests when criminals use stolen identities to commit crimes. Family identity protection plans can help protect all household members.

Identity Theft Patterns in Maryland

Most Common Types of Identity Theft in Maryland (2025)

FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data for Maryland shows the following identity theft breakdown for Q1-Q3 2025:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, Maryland, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3), data as of September 30, 2025

Year-over-Year Comparison: 2024 vs 2025

Maryland identity theft trends show how 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3) compares to 2024 full-year data:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, Maryland, 2024 Full Year vs 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

2025 Q1-Q3 Quarterly Trends

Based on 2025 YTD data, several fraud categories show significant trends:

Debt Collection Scams: Exploded 161.4% since 2021 (from 161,316 to 421,730 nationally). Maryland's high debt levels and cost of living make residents particularly vulnerable to debt collection scams.

Investment Scams: Target seniors with high-value fraud. 60-69 age group lost $501.8M nationally in Q1-Q3 2025. Maryland's large retiree population (5.8 million seniors) faces elevated risk.

Online Shopping Fraud: 106,316 reports in Q3 2025 nationally, with 80% resulting in financial loss (85,052 victims). Maryland's extensive e-commerce activity means residents face disproportionate exposure.

Imposter Scams: 279,487 reports in Q3 2025 nationally, with 21% resulting in financial loss (58,692 victims). Maryland's diverse communities and immigrant populations face targeted imposter scams.

Seasonal Patterns in Maryland

Tax Season (January-April): Identity theft surges during tax filing season as criminals race to file fraudulent returns before legitimate taxpayers. Maryland's high-income population and complex tax situations create opportunities for tax fraud. The state's large immigrant population may face additional vulnerabilities during tax season.

Holiday Shopping Season (November-December): Major surge in credit card fraud (30-40% above baseline) coinciding with holiday shopping. Maryland's luxury retail destinations experience concentrated fraud. Online shopping fraud, package theft-related identity crimes, and charity scams proliferate.

Real Estate Peak Season (Spring-Summer): Maryland's real estate market peaks during spring and summer, creating opportunities for mortgage fraud, wire transfer scams, and property title theft. High-value transactions in Maryland's expensive market attract sophisticated fraud schemes.

Back-to-School Season (August-September): College students returning to Maryland's 400+ colleges and universities create vulnerabilities. Student identity theft, employment fraud targeting students, and financial aid fraud spike during this period.

Who's Most at Risk in Maryland

Federal Employees and Contractors with Security Clearances: Maryland's 380,000+ federal workers face unique vulnerability. Security clearance background investigations create comprehensive financial profiles that criminals covet. These employees maintain excellent credit due to clearance requirements, making them attractive loan fraud targets (9,329 reports). Federal workers face government imposter scams where criminals impersonate agency inspectors general, OPM investigators, or security offices, exploiting victims' fear of clearance loss.

NSA and Cybersecurity Professionals: The thousands of cybersecurity experts working at Fort Meade, Cyber Command, and private contractors face sophisticated targeting. Criminals research these professionals through LinkedIn and social media, then launch spear-phishing attacks using intelligence community terminology and fake security advisories. These professionals' embarrassment about being victims can delay reporting, allowing fraud to compound.

NIH and Biotech Researchers: Maryland's 40,000+ biotech and pharmaceutical researchers face business email compromise targeting research grants and vendor payments. Criminals impersonate principal investigators, requesting urgent wire transfers for research equipment. University and hospital researchers often lack corporate IT security, making their email accounts easier to compromise. Grant fraud affects both researchers personally and institutional research funding.

DC Commuters: The 500,000+ Maryland residents commuting to DC face divided attention and jurisdictional confusion. These commuters maintain accounts in both states, creating monitoring gaps. Employment fraud targeting federal job seekers generated $94.6 million in losses, with fake federal contracting positions requiring security clearance processing fees or background check payments before hiring.

Hopkins and University System Students: Maryland's 350,000+ college students across Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, UMBC, and other institutions face employment and student loan fraud. Students pursuing federal careers encounter fake federal job postings requiring application fees. Medical students at Hopkins face targeted fraud related to residency applications and medical licensing, with criminals offering fake exam preparation services requiring upfront payment.

Affluent Suburban Families: Residents of Montgomery County (third-wealthiest county nationally) and Howard County face targeted fraud due to concentrated wealth. Romance scams generated $47.9 million in losses statewide, with criminals specifically targeting affluent divorced or widowed individuals through dating apps and social media. These victims' high net worth means larger losses per incident.

Small Business Owners in Federal Contracting: Maryland's 640,000 small businesses, many pursuing federal contracts, face business imposter and fake vendor fraud. Criminals impersonate contracting officers, send fake solicitations requiring proposal fees, or intercept actual contract payments. The complex federal procurement process creates confusion that criminals exploit. SAM.gov registration scams offer fake federal contractor registration assistance for fees.

Asian-American Community: Maryland's diverse Asian-American population (7% of residents) faces targeted scams in multiple languages. Government imposter scams often involve fake Chinese consulate officials, immigration threats, or family emergency schemes. The state's diplomatic community presence means legitimate international communications occur regularly, providing cover for fraudulent schemes.

Port of Baltimore Workers and Businesses: Employees and businesses connected to Baltimore's port face unique fraud patterns. Shipping companies encounter fake cargo documentation, fraudulent customs broker schemes, and business email compromise redirecting shipping payments. Longshoremen and port workers face employment fraud during contract negotiations and hiring periods.

Protection Strategies for Maryland Residents

Maryland-Specific Legal Protections: Maryland Commercial Law Code Section 14-1201 through 14-1218 provides comprehensive identity theft protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free. Maryland requires breach notification within specific timeframes. Contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (410) 528-8662 or visit marylandattorneygeneral.gov for assistance.

Security Clearance Holder Protections: Federal employees should report identity theft to agency security offices immediately—failure to report can jeopardize clearances. Monitor credit reports quarterly through AnnualCreditReport.com. Place fraud alerts requiring creditors to verify identity before opening accounts. Security clearance investigations pull credit reports, so fraudulent accounts must be resolved before reinvestigations. Report imposter scams claiming to be from OPM or agency inspectors general to agency security offices and FBI at (202) 324-3000.

Government Imposter Scam Awareness ($26.5M Losses): Federal agencies never call demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. OPM doesn't contact security clearance holders about background check fees—these are employer-paid. Social Security Administration doesn't suspend Social Security numbers or threaten arrest. Hang up on threatening calls and independently verify through official numbers from agency websites.

Business Email Compromise Prevention ($24.1M Risk): Maryland's biotech and federal contractor businesses should implement DMARC email authentication and multi-factor authentication on all accounts. Verify all payment requests and vendor changes through phone calls to previously established numbers. Require two-person authorization for wire transfers over $25,000. Train employees to recognize executive impersonation attempts and urgent payment requests bypassing normal procedures.

Loan Fraud Protection (9,329 Reports): Federal employees' excellent credit makes them targets. Freeze credit reports with all three bureaus—Maryland law provides free freezes. Unfreeze only when applying for legitimate credit. Monitor credit reports for fraudulent auto loans and mortgages opened using stolen identities. Federal employees should verify that loan inquiries on credit reports correspond to actual applications they made.

Commuter-Specific Protections: DC commuters should consolidate banking to minimize accounts requiring monitoring across multiple jurisdictions. Use mobile banking apps with location-based alerts. Place fraud alerts on credit reports, which last 90 days and require creditors to verify identity. Report cross-jurisdictional fraud to both Maryland and DC police—provide both agencies with case numbers for improved coordination.

Romance Scam Prevention ($47.9M Losses): Maryland's affluent residents using dating apps should proceed with extreme caution. Be suspicious of people who quickly express strong feelings, claim to work overseas, or face emergencies requiring money. Never send money to people you haven't met extensively in person. Research potential partners through reverse image search and social media verification. Report romance scams to Maryland Attorney General and local police immediately.

Federal Contractor Fraud Prevention: Verify federal contracting opportunities through official government websites (SAM.gov, FBO.gov). Legitimate federal contracts never require upfront fees for bids or proposals. Verify contracting officer identities through agency public affairs offices before responding to solicitations. Report federal contracting fraud to agency inspectors general and GSA Office of Inspector General at (800) 424-5210.

Student and Graduate Protection: Maryland students pursuing federal careers should verify job offers through USAJobs.gov—legitimate federal positions never require application fees or background check payments from applicants. Medical students should verify residency programs through official ERAS systems. Never pay fees for scholarship applications or federal job placement services.

Small Business Safeguards: Maryland business owners should verify vendor legitimacy through Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation business searches. Implement payment verification procedures requiring verbal confirmation for all wire transfers. Use dedicated payment approval email addresses never shared externally. Register for business credit monitoring through Dun & Bradstreet to detect fraudulent business credit applications.

Port and International Trade Protections: Baltimore port businesses should verify international wire transfer instructions through multiple communication channels—never rely solely on email. Use letters of credit for international transactions when possible. Verify customs broker credentials through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Report port-related fraud to U.S. Coast Guard and CBP at (202) 344-1780.

Maryland-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local police (Baltimore: 311, Montgomery County: 240-773-5700) and obtain case numbers. Contact Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at (410) 528-8662 or file online. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. Federal employees should report to agency security offices. For business fraud, contact Maryland Office of the Secretary of State at (410) 974-5534. Report port fraud to Coast Guard Sector Maryland-NCR at (410) 576-2693. Federal contracting fraud goes to GSA OIG at (800) 424-5210.

How to Report Identity Theft in Maryland

Immediate Actions (First 48 Hours)

Step 1: Document Everything

• Screenshot all fraudulent transactions
• Save emails, texts, or calls from fraudsters
• Create dedicated folder for all identity theft documentation
• Start detailed timeline of events—critical for Maryland's often complex cases

Step 2: Place Fraud Alerts

Call any one credit bureau to place fraud alert (they notify the other two). Makes identity theft harder for criminals and entitles you to free credit reports.

Step 3: File Reports

• FTC: IdentityTheft.gov to create official federal report
• Local Police: File report with your local police department (required by many creditors)
• Maryland AG: File complaint with Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division

Step 4: Contact Affected Institutions

• Close compromised accounts immediately
• Dispute fraudulent charges in writing—verbal disputes aren't legally sufficient
• Request fraud affidavits from financial institutions
• Change ALL passwords and PINs, even for accounts not obviously affected

Week 1-2: Secure Your Identity

Freeze Credit Reports: Contact all three bureaus to freeze reports. Free, reversible, prevents new accounts.

Request Extended Fraud Alert: With police report, you're entitled to 7-year fraud alert (vs. standard 1-year). This is crucial in Maryland where sophisticated criminals may make repeated attempts.

Review All Credit Reports: Order reports from all three bureaus. Examine every account, inquiry, and personal information entry. Dispute all fraudulent items in writing with copies of police report and FTC Identity Theft Report.

Month 1-3: Deep Clean & Monitor

Close All Fraudulent Accounts: Send certified letters to creditors disputing charges. Include copy of FTC report and police report. Keep copies of all correspondence—Maryland victims often need documentation for months or years.

Monitor Aggressively: Check credit reports regularly for an extended period. Maryland's sophisticated fraud networks may make repeated attempts using stolen information. Review bank/credit statements weekly. Set up account alerts for all transactions over $50.

Address Specific Fraud Types:

• Tax Fraud: File Form 14039 with IRS, request Identity Protection PIN for future filings at IRS.gov
• Medical Fraud: Request medical records, dispute charges with insurance companies
• Real Estate/Mortgage Fraud: Alert title companies, mortgage servicers; may require attorney in Maryland's complex real estate market. Home title monitoring can help prevent future incidents
• Employment Fraud: Contact employers where fraudulent employment occurred, file with Social Security Administration at SSA.gov

Long-Term Recovery

Identity theft recovery timelines vary significantly by case complexity. Simple cases involving a single credit card may resolve relatively quickly, while moderate cases with multiple accounts typically require more extensive documentation and follow-up. Complex cases involving criminal identity theft, tax fraud, or real estate fraud can take substantially longer to resolve. Tech industry cases involving business accounts or investment accounts may require the most extensive recovery efforts due to the complexity of business financial systems and high-value transactions.

When to Seek Professional Help:

• Criminal charges filed in your name
• Multiple fraud types occurring simultaneously
• Real estate fraud involving property titles (common in Maryland)
• Creditors refusing to remove fraudulent accounts
• Cases exceeding $50,000 in total losses (more common in high-cost Maryland)
• Business identity theft (common for Maryland entrepreneurs)

Maryland Identity Theft Resources

State Resources

Maryland Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division: (800) 952-5225

oag.ca.gov/consumers - File complaints, access victim assistance, fraud education

Maryland Department of Consumer Affairs: (800) 952-5210

dca.ca.gov - Consumer protection, licensing, fraud reporting

Maryland Department of Technology - Office of Information Security: (916) 445-8100

For cases involving sophisticated cybercrime or data breaches

Federal Resources

FTC Identity Theft Hotline: IdentityTheft.gov or (877) 438-4338

FBI Field Offices: Contact your local FBI field office for identity theft reporting assistance.

Social Security Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271 | Visit SSA.gov to create a My Social Security account

IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit: (800) 908-4490 | Request an IP PIN at IRS.gov

Credit Bureaus (Fraud Alerts & Freezes)

Place fraud alerts and freezes with all three bureaus:

• Experian: (888) 397-3742
• Equifax: (800) 685-1111
• TransUnion: (888) 909-8872

Maryland Support Services

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): (888) 400-5530 - Free victim assistance with live counselors. Visit idtheftcenter.org for resources

Maryland Victim Compensation Board: (800) 777-9229 - Financial assistance for crime victims

Legal Aid Organizations: Maryland has numerous legal aid organizations providing free assistance to low-income identity theft victims

Frequently Asked Questions: Maryland Identity Theft

Why does Maryland have the highest absolute number of identity theft reports?

Maryland's population means even its #9 per-capita ranking (345 per 100K) results in the highest absolute numbers (19,992 reports). The state's economic significance , high cost of living creating high-value targets, technology industry concentration, diverse immigrant populations, and extensive online commerce all contribute to elevated risk.

What are the most common types of identity theft in Maryland?

Credit card fraud dominates (49% of cases, 68,323 reports), followed by other identity theft (28%), loan/lease fraud (13%), bank account fraud (9%), employment/tax fraud (7%), and government benefits fraud (5%). Maryland's high-income population and expensive real estate make credit card and loan fraud particularly lucrative.

Are tech industry workers at higher risk in Maryland?

Yes. technology centers's tech workers face sophisticated fraud schemes targeting their substantial assets. High-income levels, access to sensitive systems, frequent job changes, and business ownership create vulnerabilities. Tech workers should use enhanced monitoring including dark web surveillance and investment account monitoring.

How does Maryland's real estate market create fraud risks?

Maryland's expensive real estate (median home price $800,000+) attracts sophisticated fraud schemes. Property title theft, mortgage fraud, wire transfer scams, and rental fraud have surged. High-value transactions mean fraud can involve hundreds of thousands of dollars. Property title monitoring and wire transfer verification are essential.

What should recent immigrants in Maryland do differently?

Recent immigrants should establish credit monitoring early (limited credit history makes fraud detection harder), use language-accessible resources (Maryland provides multilingual fraud resources), secure immigration documents carefully, and monitor both U.S. and home country accounts if applicable. Don't let language barriers prevent fraud reporting.

Are college students at higher risk in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland's 400+ colleges and universities with 3+ million students⁴ create concentrated vulnerable populations. Students face limited credit history, social media oversharing, phishing vulnerabilities, and financial inexperience. Credit freezes, social media privacy, and phishing education are essential for Maryland students.