How common is identity theft in Louisiana? (2026 Update)

Understanding Louisiana's identity theft crisis

Louisiana faces an identity theft crisis, ranking #5 nationally by per-capita rate (405 reports per 100K) with 18,701 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 117.0% of 2024's full-year total of 15,991. This represents approximately 69 new victims every single day across Louisiana, with one new victim every 20.9 minutes around the clock. For comprehensive national context, see our 2025 Identity Theft Statistics report. All data is based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data.

The concentration of identity theft in Louisiana reflects the state's unique vulnerabilities and risk factors. Louisiana's 4.6 million residents⁶ face elevated risk from ongoing hurricane recovery, concentrated poverty, and energy sector volatility. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for Louisiana residents.

Why Louisiana ranks #5 in identity theft statistics

Disaster-Driven Vulnerability: Louisiana's residents face recurring hurricane trauma, with many still recovering from Hurricanes Laura (2020), Ida (2021), and subsequent storms.² Disaster recovery creates perfect conditions for fraud—displaced residents juggling FEMA claims, insurance settlements, and contractor negotiations while managing temporary housing and disrupted mail service. Government imposter scams often involve fake FEMA representatives, fraudulent disaster relief organizations, and contractor fraud targeting desperate homeowners.

Rural Digital Divide Exploitation: Louisiana's rural parishes face severe digital infrastructure gaps, with many residents lacking reliable internet access or digital literacy. This creates vulnerability to phone-based scams while limiting access to online account monitoring and fraud detection tools. Tech support scams disproportionately affect rural residents with limited technology experience.

Oil and Gas Industry Cycles: Louisiana's 130,000 energy sector workers³ face fraud during industry downturns. When oil prices drop, unemployed workers become targets for job scams, fake training programs, and advance-fee employment schemes. Job scam reports surge during layoff periods, targeting workers with fraudulent offshore platform positions and refinery jobs requiring upfront fees.

Regional Worry Doesn't Match Reality: Despite Louisiana's extreme risk, only 63.1% of South region respondents worry most about identity theft.⁴ Louisiana's 405 per 100K rate demands much higher vigilance, but many residents focused on immediate survival—managing poverty, recovering from disasters, and coping with inadequate infrastructure—lack bandwidth to prioritize fraud prevention.

Port and Transportation Corridor Risks: Louisiana's massive Port of South Louisiana (the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere) and Port of New Orleans⁵ process international commerce creating cross-border fraud opportunities. Business imposter scams often target shipping companies, freight forwarders, and import/export businesses with fake vendor invoices and payment diversion schemes.

By income & socioeconomic status

Identity theft in Louisiana cuts across income levels but manifests differently:

High-Income (>$150K): Targeted for sophisticated fraud—wire transfer scams, investment fraud, real estate title theft, business identity theft. High-income residents maintain higher credit limits and account balances, making them attractive targets.

Middle-Income ($40K-$100K): Highest volume of victims. Have established credit but may lack resources for premium monitoring services. Actively use credit for mortgages, auto loans, education—all fraud vectors.

Lower-Income (<$40K): Disproportionately impacted by government benefits fraud, particularly SNAP fraud, unemployment fraud, and healthcare fraud. May have less financial cushion to absorb losses and fewer resources for recovery.

For comparison, see how Louisiana compares to other high-risk states like Texas.

Fraud patterns and identity theft statistics

Most common types of identity theft in Louisiana (2025)

Based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data for Louisiana, the following identity theft types are most prevalent:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, Louisiana Identity Theft Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

Year-over-year comparison (2024 vs 2025 YTD)

Louisiana reported 18,701 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, compared to 15,991 reports for the full year 2024. This represents 117.0% of the 2024 total in just three quarters, indicating Louisiana is on track to exceed 2024's numbers.

For comprehensive national context and trends, see our 2025 Identity Theft Statistics report.

2025 YTD Louisiana trends by age group

Identity theft victimization varies significantly by age, with different age groups facing distinct fraud patterns and loss amounts.

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, Louisiana Age & Fraud Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

Who is at risk of identity theft in Louisiana?

Hurricane and Disaster Survivors: The estimated 500,000+ Louisianans² still recovering from recent hurricanes face compounded vulnerability. Criminals target them with contractor fraud, fake disaster relief organizations, and government imposter scams claiming to be from FEMA or Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security. These victims often have disrupted mail service, temporary housing, and divided attention, making fraud detection harder. Government benefits fraud includes fake disaster assistance applications.

Low-Income and Unbanked Residents: Louisiana's 18.6% poverty rate¹ creates a large population with limited banking access. The state's 6.8% unbanked rate (third highest nationally)⁷ means many residents rely on check cashing services, prepaid cards, and money orders—all harder to protect and trace than traditional bank accounts. These residents become targets for fake check scams, prepaid card draining, and tax refund theft.

Oil and Gas Workers During Downturns: Louisiana's energy sector workers³ face cyclical vulnerability. During industry downturns, unemployed roughnecks, refinery workers, and offshore platform employees become targets for employment fraud. Job scam losses include fake offshore positions, fraudulent safety certifications, and training programs requiring upfront payment for positions that don't exist.

Rural and Elderly Residents: Louisiana's rural parishes have the oldest populations and least access to digital fraud prevention tools. These residents face tech support scams, IRS imposter schemes, and Social Security scams. The combination of limited digital literacy and isolation makes them particularly vulnerable to phone-based fraud.

Cajun and Creole French-Speaking Communities: Louisiana's unique French-speaking populations⁸ face targeted scams in Louisiana Creole and Cajun French. These linguistic communities receive less fraud education in their native languages, creating knowledge gaps criminals exploit. Romance scams and family emergency schemes exploit tight-knit community bonds and cultural values around family obligation.

New Orleans Tourism and Hospitality Workers: Louisiana's 250,000+ hospitality workers⁹ face employment fraud and identity theft from workplace data breaches. Restaurant and hotel workers often work multiple part-time positions with inconsistent income, making them targets for payday loan scams, wage advance fraud, and fake gig economy opportunities. Phone or utilities fraud often starts with stolen employee records.

Commercial Fishermen and Seafood Industry: Louisiana's commercial fishing industry¹⁰ faces unique fraud patterns. Fishermen and seafood processors encounter fake buyer schemes, fraudulent seafood orders with stolen payment cards, and business imposter scams targeting seafood dealers. The industry's cash-heavy nature and seasonal income patterns create vulnerability to tax fraud and fake IRS collections.

University Students and Recent Graduates: Louisiana's 225,000+ college students¹¹ at LSU, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, and other institutions face student loan fraud and employment scams. Many Louisiana graduates leave the state for employment, creating transitional vulnerability during relocation. Criminals target them with fake apartment rentals in destination cities, fraudulent job offers, and student loan consolidation scams.

How to protect yourself from fraud in Louisiana

Louisiana-Specific Legal Protections: Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67.16 provides identity theft protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free and access Louisiana's data breach notification law requiring 60-day notice. Contact the Louisiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at (800) 351-4889 or visit ag.louisiana.gov for assistance and to file complaints.

Disaster Recovery Fraud Prevention: Hurricane survivors should verify all contractors through Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) before paying deposits. Legitimate FEMA representatives never initiate payment requests or ask for Social Security numbers over the phone. FEMA assistance is free—never pay application fees. Report contractor fraud to LSLBC at (225) 765-2301 and disaster fraud to National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721.

Employment Scam Protection: Energy workers seeking positions should verify companies through Louisiana Workforce Commission and Better Business Bureau before sharing personal information or paying fees. Legitimate offshore operators never charge workers for positions, safety certifications, or training before hiring. Report suspicious job postings to Louisiana Department of Labor and Louisiana Attorney General's Office.

Protection for Limited Digital Access: Rural residents without reliable internet can monitor credit by requesting free annual credit reports by phone (877-322-8228) or mail. Place fraud alerts on credit reports (lasting 90 days), which require creditors to verify identity before opening accounts. Use paper bank statements for bank accounts rather than email—mail fraud is more visible than electronic account takeover for those with limited digital literacy.

Tech Support Scam Prevention: Remember: Microsoft, Apple, Norton, and McAfee never call customers about computer problems. These companies don't monitor individual computers or know about specific virus infections. Hang up immediately on unsolicited tech support calls. Never provide remote computer access to unknown callers. For actual computer problems, take devices to local repair shops or contact manufacturers directly using numbers from official websites.

Government Imposter Awareness: The IRS, Social Security Administration, FEMA, and Louisiana government agencies never demand immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Government agencies send written notices before phone contact. Threatening calls about arrest, benefit suspension, or disaster assistance denial are always fraudulent. Hang up and independently verify by calling official numbers from government websites.

Banking Access for Unbanked Residents: Louisiana residents without bank accounts should consider opening accounts at credit unions, which often have lower fees and minimum balance requirements than traditional banks. Account ownership provides better fraud protection than check cashing services. Contact Louisiana credit unions through Louisiana Credit Union League at (800) 256-2644. For immediate needs, use postal money orders rather than unreliable wire transfer services.

Port and Shipping Industry Protections: Louisiana businesses in import/export should implement payment verification procedures requiring verbal confirmation for all international wire transfers. Verify vendor payment changes through previously established contacts, never through email alone. Use letter of credit for international transactions rather than wire transfers when possible. Report port-related fraud to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at (504) 670-2404.

French-Language Scam Awareness: Louisiana's French-speaking communities should share fraud education in Creole and Cajun French through parish resources and community organizations. Create family code words to verify emergency calls. Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) can help distribute fraud prevention materials in French at (225) 342-2520.

Student and Graduate Protections: Louisiana students should verify scholarship offers through university financial aid offices before sharing personal information. Never pay fees for scholarship applications—legitimate scholarships are free to apply. When relocating for employment, research apartment rentals through established property management companies, never wire deposits based solely on online listings or photos.

Louisiana-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local police and parish sheriff's offices—obtain case numbers for credit bureaus. Contact Louisiana Attorney General Consumer Protection Section at (800) 351-4889. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. For disaster-related fraud, contact National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. Energy industry fraud reports go to Louisiana State Police at (225) 925-6006. Report port fraud to U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans at (504) 365-2200.

Recommended response to unusual credit activity

If you notice unusual credit activity or want to proactively protect against new account fraud, credit freezes prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Contact all three bureaus:

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

Free, reversible, doesn't affect credit scores, can be temporarily lifted for legitimate credit applications. For ongoing protection, consider credit monitoring from all three bureaus.

How to report identity theft in Louisiana

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

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)
• Louisiana AG: File complaint with Louisiana Attorney General - Consumer Protection Section ((800) 351-4889)

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).

Review All Credit Reports: Order reports from all three bureaus. Examine every account, inquiry, and personal information entry. Dispute all fraud vectors.

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.

Monitor Aggressively: Check credit reports regularly for an extended period. 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. 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.

When to Seek Professional Help:

• Criminal charges filed in your name
• Multiple fraud types occurring simultaneously
• Real estate fraud involving property titles
• Creditors refusing to remove fraudulent accounts
• Cases exceeding $50,000 in total losses
• Business identity theft

Louisiana identity theft resources

State resources

Louisiana Attorney General - Consumer Protection Section: ((800) 351-4889)

https://www.ag.state.la.us/Article/ConsumerProtection - Consumer complaints, fraud reporting

Federal resources

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

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

Support services

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

Frequently asked questions

Why does Louisiana rank #5 nationally for identity theft?

Louisiana ranks #5 nationally with 405 reports per 100K residents in 2025 YTD. The state's unique risk factors contribute to elevated identity theft rates.

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

Credit card fraud, loan/lease fraud, and other identity theft categories are the most common types reported in Louisiana.

How many identity theft reports were filed in Louisiana in 2025?

Louisiana reported 18,701 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, already at 117.0% of 2024's full-year total of 15,991.

What should I do if I'm a victim of identity theft in Louisiana?

Immediately file reports with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, your local police department, and the Louisiana Attorney General. Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus and freeze your credit reports.

Are there state-specific identity theft laws in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana has specific identity theft laws. Check with the Louisiana Attorney General's office for details on state-specific protections and reporting requirements.

How can I protect myself from identity theft in Louisiana?

Given Louisiana's #5 ranking, comprehensive protection is essential. Use credit freezes, enable transaction alerts, monitor credit reports regularly, and consider identity theft protection services designed for high-risk areas.