Mississippi Identity Theft Statistics

Understanding Mississippi's identity theft crisis

Mississippi faces an identity theft crisis, ranking #10 nationally by per-capita rate (344 reports per 100K) with 10,141 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 128.0% of 2024's full-year total of 7,903. This represents approximately 37 new victims every single day across Mississippi, with one new victim every 38.9 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 Mississippi reflects the state's unique vulnerabilities and risk factors. Mississippi's 2.9 million residents¹ face elevated risk from extreme poverty, limited digital infrastructure, and socioeconomic challenges. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for Mississippi residents.

Why Mississippi ranks #10 in identity theft statistics

Poverty-Driven Vulnerability: Mississippi's extreme poverty creates a population desperate for any financial relief, making residents susceptible to advance-fee scams, fake loan offers, and employment fraud requiring upfront payments. The state's 8.4% unbanked rate³ (highest in the continental U.S.) means many residents rely on check cashing services, prepaid cards, and money orders—all difficult to protect and trace. These residents become easy targets for fake check scams and prepaid card draining schemes.

Digital Divide Exploitation: Mississippi ranks 48th nationally in broadband access,⁴ with many rural residents lacking reliable internet. This digital divide creates vulnerability to phone-based scams while limiting access to online account monitoring, credit report checks, and fraud detection tools. Tech support scams disproportionately affect rural residents with limited technology experience who can't easily verify suspicious calls or access online fraud prevention resources.

Elderly Population Concentration: Mississippi's 18.2% of residents aged 65+⁵ (above national average) face concentrated targeting. These seniors often live in isolated rural areas with limited family support, making them vulnerable to prolonged fraud schemes. Romance scams show average losses indicating sophisticated long-term fraud operations targeting lonely elderly residents.

Regional Worry-Risk Misalignment: Despite Mississippi's vulnerability, only 63.1% of South region respondents worry most about identity theft.⁶ Mississippi's 344 per 100K rate combined with extreme poverty means the impact is devastating—many victims lack resources to recover. The awareness gap is particularly dangerous given residents' limited ability to afford credit monitoring or identity theft insurance.

Military Base Presence: Mississippi hosts significant military installations including Naval Air Station Meridian, Keesler Air Force Base, and Camp Shelby,⁷ creating a military community vulnerable to deployment-related fraud. Military members face targeted scams exploiting deployment cycles, VA benefit fraud, and romance scams targeting spouses during service members' absence.

Casino Corridor Vulnerability: Mississippi's Gulf Coast casino industry⁸ creates concentrated payment card processing and cash transaction volume. The transient tourist population mixing with local residents creates opportunities for card skimming and payment fraud. Credit card fraud includes organized criminal operations targeting casino-adjacent businesses and hotels.

By income & socioeconomic status

Identity theft in Mississippi 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 Mississippi compares to other high-risk states like Louisiana.

Fraud patterns and identity theft statistics

Most common types of identity theft in Mississippi (2025)

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

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

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

Mississippi reported 10,141 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, compared to 7,903 reports for the full year 2024. This represents 128.0% of the 2024 total in just three quarters, indicating Mississippi is on track to exceed 2024's numbers.

Victim demographics by age group

Age-based vulnerability patterns in Mississippi reflect the state's poverty, rural isolation, and elderly population:

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

Who is at risk of identity theft in Mississippi?

Rural Elderly Residents: Mississippi's elderly rural population faces compounded vulnerability from isolation, limited technology access, and financial constraints. These residents become targets for tech support scams, IRS imposters, Social Security fraud, and grandparent scams. The lack of nearby family and limited internet access means prolonged fraud often goes undetected. Many elderly Mississippians still rely on paper checks and phone transactions, making them easier targets for phone-based scams.

Low-Income and Unbanked Residents: With 19.4% poverty rate² and 8.4% unbanked,³ Mississippi has a large population vulnerable to predatory financial services. Residents without bank accounts rely on check cashing services (with high fees) and become targets for fake check scams. Payday loan and title loan fraud exploits desperate residents needing emergency funds.

Job Seekers in Limited Economy: Mississippi's unemployment rate (3.8%)⁹ masks underemployment and limited opportunities. Desperate job seekers become targets for employment fraud. Scams include fake offshore oil platform positions, fraudulent casino employment requiring uniform purchases, and work-from-home schemes requiring equipment fees. Recent casino expansions create fake hiring announcements exploiting residents' hopes for stable employment.

Military Members and Families: Mississippi's significant military presence creates vulnerability during deployment cycles. Service members' spouses face romance scams and family emergency schemes during deployments. VA benefits fraud targets veterans with fake claims assistance requiring upfront fees. Military families relocating to or from Mississippi face transitional fraud including fake housing rentals and moving scams.

African-American Community: Mississippi's 38% African-American population¹⁰ (highest percentage nationally) faces targeted fraud exploiting cultural patterns and historical distrust of institutions. Criminals specifically develop scams for this demographic, including church-based investment fraud, scholarship scams targeting students, and predatory lending disguised as community assistance. The historical exclusion from traditional banking creates vulnerability to alternative financial services fraud.

Casino and Hospitality Workers: Mississippi's 40,000+ casino and hospitality workers⁸ on the Gulf Coast face employment fraud during hiring cycles and identity theft from workplace data breaches. These workers' personal information appears in large employer databases targeted by criminals. Seasonal employment patterns create gaps when workers are targets for fake job offers and advance-fee employment schemes between positions.

Agricultural Workers and Farmers: Mississippi's agricultural sector workers face unique fraud. Farmers encounter fake equipment financing, fraudulent seed supplier schemes, and crop insurance fraud. Seasonal farm workers become targets during harvest seasons with fake employment offers requiring transportation fees or housing deposits. Equipment theft and identity theft often occur simultaneously, with criminals stealing tractors and using victims' identities to finance additional equipment.

Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Students at Jackson State, Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State, and Tougaloo College face student loan fraud and fake scholarship schemes. Criminals target HBCU students with fraudulent scholarship applications requiring processing fees, fake internship offers, and student loan consolidation scams. Many students come from low-income families, making them desperate for financial assistance and vulnerable to advance-fee schemes.

Healthcare Workers and Rural Hospital Patients: Mississippi's struggling rural healthcare system creates vulnerability from hospital closures and data breaches at underfunded facilities. Healthcare workers' personal information gets exposed in breaches at hospitals lacking adequate cybersecurity. Rural patients face medical identity theft when accessing care at multiple facilities during hospital closures, with criminals intercepting their medical records during transfers.

How to protect yourself from fraud in Mississippi

Mississippi-Specific Legal Protections: Mississippi Code Section 97-19-85 provides identity theft protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free. Contact the Mississippi Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 281-4418 or visit ago.state.ms.us for assistance and to file complaints.

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

Employment Scam Prevention: Desperate job seekers should verify employers through Mississippi Secretary of State business search before sharing personal information or paying fees. Legitimate employers never charge application fees, background check fees, or equipment costs before hiring. Be especially wary of offshore oil platform positions or casino employment requiring uniform purchases. Report suspicious job postings to Mississippi Department of Employment Security at (601) 321-6000.

Tech Support Scam Awareness: Remember: Microsoft, Apple, and other tech companies never call about computer problems. These companies don't monitor individual computers. Hang up immediately on unsolicited tech support calls. Never provide remote computer access to unknown callers. For actual computer problems, contact manufacturers using numbers from official websites or visit local computer repair shops. Tell elderly family members about this scam—share information through churches and community centers.

Romance Scam Prevention: Mississippi's isolated elderly residents should exercise extreme caution with romantic relationships begun online or by phone. Be suspicious of anyone who quickly expresses strong feelings, claims to be traveling overseas, or faces emergencies requiring money. Never send money to people you haven't met extensively in person. Average losses indicate prolonged fraud—criminals invest months building relationships. Report romance scams to local sheriff's offices and Mississippi Attorney General.

Fake Check Scam Awareness: Unbanked residents using check cashing services should know that fake check scams are prevalent. Never deposit checks from unknown sources and withdraw money to send elsewhere—the check will bounce, leaving you responsible for the full amount. Legitimate employers, lottery winnings, and contest prizes never require you to pay fees by wiring money back. Wait 10 business days for checks to fully clear before assuming funds are available.

Military-Specific Protections: Service members should place active duty alerts on credit reports, which last one year and require creditors to verify identity before opening accounts. Monitor credit reports before, during, and after deployments. Designate a trusted contact to receive account alerts and monitor mail. Report military-related fraud to installation provost marshals and Military OneSource at (800) 342-9647.

Banking Access for Unbanked Residents: Mississippi residents without bank accounts should consider opening accounts at credit unions with lower fees and minimum balances than traditional banks. Account ownership provides better fraud protection than check cashing services. Contact Mississippi Credit Union Association at (601) 981-4801 for assistance finding accessible credit unions. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) offer banking services in underserved areas.

African-American Community Protections: Share fraud education through churches, community centers, and historically black colleges. Be wary of investment opportunities marketed through church groups or community events—verify all investments through Mississippi Securities Division before investing. Create family code words to verify emergency calls claiming family members need money. Organizations like the Mississippi NAACP can help distribute fraud prevention materials—contact at (601) 353-5698.

Student Protection Measures: HBCU students should verify scholarship offers through university financial aid offices before sharing personal information or paying fees. Never pay for scholarship applications—legitimate scholarships are free to apply for. Verify employment and internship offers through university career services. Be wary of student loan consolidation offers found on social media or through cold calls—work directly with federal loan servicers.

Agricultural Community Protections: Farmers should verify equipment financing through established agricultural lenders and Farm Credit Services. Verify seed and chemical suppliers through Mississippi State University Extension Service. Report agricultural fraud to Mississippi Department of Agriculture at (601) 359-1100. Use escrow services for large equipment purchases from unknown sellers.

Mississippi-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local sheriff's offices and obtain case numbers for credit bureaus. Contact Mississippi Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at (800) 281-4418. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. For military fraud, contact installation provost marshals. Healthcare fraud reports go to Mississippi Division of Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (601) 359-4230. Agricultural fraud reports go to Mississippi Department of Agriculture at (601) 359-1100. For assistance in rural areas without internet, contact Mississippi Council on Aging at (800) 948-3090 for help accessing fraud prevention resources.

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.

Detailed recovery steps for identity theft victims

Immediate Actions (First 24 Hours):

• File FTC identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov
• Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus
• File police report with local law enforcement (obtain case number)
• Document all fraudulent accounts and transactions
• Change passwords for compromised accounts

First Week Actions:

• Place credit freezes with all three bureaus
• Review all credit reports for unauthorized accounts
• Contact banks and creditors about fraudulent accounts
• File Mississippi Attorney General complaint
• Set up fraud monitoring on remaining accounts

Ongoing Recovery (Weeks 2-12):

• Dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors (send certified letters)
• Monitor credit reports monthly for new fraud
• Follow up with police investigation
• Document all recovery expenses for potential restitution
• Consider identity theft protection service for monitoring

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

Mississippi identity theft resources

State resources

Mississippi Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division: (800) 281-4418

https://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/consumer-protection - 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 Mississippi rank #10 nationally for identity theft?

Mississippi ranks #10 nationally with 344 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 Mississippi?

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

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

Mississippi reported 10,141 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, already at 128.0% of 2024's full-year total of 7,903.

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

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

Are there state-specific identity theft laws in Mississippi?

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

How can I protect myself from identity theft in Mississippi?

Given Mississippi's #10 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.

Sources & Citations