How common is identity theft in New Jersey? (2026 Update)
Analysis of New Jersey fraud statistics based on official YTD FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data (Current until Jan. 1 - Sept. 30, 2025)
Last Updated: January 09, 2026
National Ranking
#12
By per-capita rate (318/100K)
Total Reports 2025 YTD
29,458
Q1-Q3 2025 (101.0% of 2024)
Total Reports 2024
29,037
Full year 2024
Reports per 100K
318
Above national avg (285)
Daily Victims (2025 YTD)
108
One every 13.3 minutes
State Population
9.3M
Understanding New Jersey's identity theft crisis
New Jersey faces an identity theft crisis, ranking #12 nationally by per-capita rate (318 reports per 100K) with 29,458 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 101.0% of 2024's full-year total of 29,037. This represents approximately 108 new victims every single day across New Jersey, with one new victim every 13.3 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 New Jersey reflects the state's unique vulnerabilities and risk factors. New Jersey's 9.3 million residents1 face elevated risk from the NYC commuter corridor, pharmaceutical industry concentration, and affluent suburban demographics. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for New Jersey residents.
Why New Jersey ranks #12 in identity theft statistics
Critical Factor: NYC Commuter Corridor Meets Pharmaceutical Hub
New Jersey's 318 reports per 100K—twelfth highest nationally—reflects the state's unique position as the most densely populated state1 with extensive NYC commuter corridors and the nation's largest pharmaceutical industry concentration.2 The state's 9.3 million residents1 face vulnerability from 400,000+ daily commuters3 to NYC creating jurisdictional confusion, plus massive healthcare and corporate data systems vulnerable to breaches. The 1.5% increase from 2024 to 2025 YTD (29,037 → 29,458 reports) demonstrates sustained vulnerability.
NYC Commuter Corridor Complexity: New Jersey's position as NYC's primary bedroom community creates unique vulnerability. The 400,000+ daily commuters3 to Manhattan maintain banking relationships across multiple states, creating monitoring gaps that criminals exploit. Jurisdictional confusion between New Jersey and New York law enforcement creates investigation delays. Phone or utilities fraud often involves accounts opened in NYC using New Jersey residents' stolen identities, with bills sent to NYC addresses that victims never see until collections begin.
Pharmaceutical Industry Data Concentration: New Jersey hosts headquarters for Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and over 120 other pharmaceutical and biotech companies2—the highest concentration globally. These companies maintain massive employee databases, clinical trial participant records, and healthcare provider information vulnerable to breaches. Business imposter scams often start with compromised pharmaceutical company email accounts.
Port of New York and New Jersey Gateway: As operator of the nation's third-busiest container port,4 New Jersey businesses face international commerce fraud. The port's $200+ billion in annual cargo creates opportunities for customs documentation fraud, fake shipping invoices, and business email compromise targeting import/export companies. The complex multi-state port authority jurisdiction creates additional confusion criminals exploit.
Affluent Suburbs Create High-Value Targets: New Jersey's median household income ($97,126, third highest nationally)5 means residents maintain higher credit limits and larger bank balances than most Americans. This wealth concentration makes New Jersey residents attractive targets for sophisticated fraud. Credit card fraud reflects organized criminal networks specifically targeting affluent suburban shopping centers and restaurants.
Regional Awareness Gap: Despite New Jersey's elevated risk, residents may underestimate vulnerability due to proximity to NYC's financial sophistication. Many assume their suburban locations provide safety, yet face equal or greater exposure to remote fraud operations that don't require physical presence. The state's educated, affluent population may exhibit dangerous overconfidence about their fraud prevention capabilities.
By income & socioeconomic status
Identity theft in New Jersey 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 New Jersey compares to other high-risk states like New York.
Fraud patterns and identity theft statistics
Most common types of identity theft in New Jersey (2025)
Based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data for New Jersey, the following identity theft types are most prevalent:
| Identity Theft Type | 2025 YTD Reports | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Fraud | 15,170 | 51.5% |
| Other Identity Theft | 8,876 | 30.1% |
| Loan or Lease Fraud | 3,864 | 13.1% |
| Bank Fraud | 2,254 | 7.7% |
| Phone or Utilities Fraud | 1,630 | 5.5% |
| Employment or Tax-Related Fraud | 1,239 | 4.2% |
| Government Documents or Benefits Fraud | 946 | 3.2% |
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, New Jersey Identity Theft Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)
Year-over-year comparison (2024 vs 2025 YTD)
New Jersey reported 29,458 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, compared to 29,037 reports for the full year 2024. This represents 101.0% of the 2024 total in just three quarters, indicating New Jersey is on track to exceed 2024's numbers.
For comprehensive national context and trends, see our 2025 Identity Theft Statistics report.
2025 YTD New Jersey trends by age group
Identity theft victimization varies significantly by age, with different age groups facing distinct fraud patterns and loss amounts.
| Age Group | Reports | Median Loss | Total Losses | % Reporting Loss | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 and Under | 786 | $150 | $0.6M | 47.6% | Moderate |
| 20 - 29 | 3,916 | $313 | $4.9M | 36.0% | Moderate |
| 30 - 39 | 4,811 | $400 | $10.3M | 36.5% | Moderate |
| 40 - 49 | 4,182 | $420 | $20.8M | 37.4% | Moderate |
| 50 - 59 | 4,118 | $545 | $28.2M | 32.5% | Moderate |
| 60 - 69 | 5,108 | $700 | $29.9M | 25.2% | Highest Volume |
| 70 - 79 | 3,389 | $1,000 | $20.0M | 22.7% | Moderate |
| 80 and Over | 1,028 | $1,024 | $5.5M | 20.4% | Moderate |
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, New Jersey Age & Fraud Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)
Who is at risk of identity theft in New Jersey?
NYC Commuters: The 400,000+ New Jersey residents3 commuting daily to Manhattan face divided attention and jurisdictional confusion. These commuters maintain accounts in both states, creating monitoring gaps. Employment fraud targeting Wall Street job seekers generated significant losses, with fake financial services positions requiring certification fees or background check payments. Commuters face physical theft risk on crowded PATH trains and NJ Transit, with stolen phones immediately exposing mobile banking apps.
Pharmaceutical Industry Employees: New Jersey's 130,000+ pharmaceutical and biotech workers6 handle sensitive research data and employee information, making them targets for credential theft and social engineering. These professionals' high salaries make them attractive loan fraud targets. Criminals specifically research pharmaceutical executives on LinkedIn, then launching phishing attacks using industry terminology and fake regulatory agency communications.
Affluent Suburban Families: Residents of Bergen, Morris, Somerset, and Hunterdon counties face targeted fraud due to concentrated wealth. Romance scams show the state's high net worth means larger losses per incident, with criminals investing extensive time researching victims through social media and public records before initiating contact.
Port of NY/NJ Workers and Businesses: Employees and businesses connected to the port face unique fraud patterns. Shipping companies encounter fake cargo documentation, fraudulent customs broker schemes, and business email compromise redirecting shipping payments. The port's complex multi-state jurisdiction creates confusion about which agencies have enforcement authority, allowing fraud to persist longer.
College Students: New Jersey's 460,000+ college students7 at Rutgers, Princeton, Stevens Institute, and other institutions face employment and housing fraud. Students pursuing finance careers encounter fake Wall Street internship offers requiring background check fees. Princeton and Stevens Institute students face sophisticated phishing targeting .edu email accounts to access university systems and steal additional credentials.
Small Business Owners: New Jersey's 960,000 small businesses8 face vendor fraud and business imposter scams. The state's complex tax environment (with both state and local taxes) creates vulnerability to fake tax preparation services and fraudulent state tax collection. Business imposter losses often involve fake vendor invoices exploiting New Jersey's high cost of living and business expenses.
Healthcare Workers and Patients: Beyond pharmaceutical employees, New Jersey's 400,000+ healthcare workers6 at hospitals, clinics, and medical practices face data breach exposure. Hospital system consolidations and electronic medical record migrations create security gaps. Medical identity theft impacts insurance coverage and medical records, with criminals using stolen identities to obtain prescription drugs and file false insurance claims.
Real Estate Buyers in Competitive Markets: New Jersey's extremely competitive real estate market (median home price $570,000+)9 creates wire fraud pressure. Criminals intercept closing communications and redirect down payments to criminal-controlled accounts. The urgency created by bidding wars and tight inventory means buyers may skip verification steps to avoid losing offers.
Asian-American Community: New Jersey's significant Asian-American population10 (including large Chinese, Indian, and Korean communities) faces targeted scams in multiple languages. Government imposter scams often involve fake consulate officials, immigration threats, or family emergency schemes exploiting cultural values around family obligation and deference to authority.
How to protect yourself from fraud in New Jersey
New Jersey-Specific Legal Protections: New Jersey Identity Theft Prevention Act (N.J.S.A. 56:11-28 to 56:11-50) provides comprehensive protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free. New Jersey's data breach notification law requires timely customer notification. Contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5846 or visit njconsumeraffairs.gov for assistance and to file complaints.
NYC Commuter Protections: Daily commuters should consolidate banking to minimize accounts requiring monitoring across jurisdictions. Use mobile banking apps with location-based alerts that notify you of transactions in unexpected states. Enable biometric locks on smartphones to protect mobile banking apps if phones are stolen on crowded trains. Carry backup payment methods separately from primary wallets. Report cross-jurisdictional fraud to both New Jersey and New York police—provide both agencies with case numbers.
Credit Card Fraud Prevention: Enable real-time transaction alerts through card issuer mobile apps. Use virtual card numbers for online purchases and set spending limits on cards used at high-traffic suburban shopping centers. Review statements twice weekly rather than monthly to catch fraudulent charges quickly. Consider using mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) that generate one-time transaction codes, making stolen information useless.
Business Email Compromise Prevention: New Jersey 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—never rely solely on email. Require two-person authorization for wire transfers over $25,000. Train employees to recognize executive impersonation attempts and urgent payment requests bypassing normal procedures.
Romance Scam Prevention: New Jersey's affluent residents using dating apps should exercise extreme caution. Be suspicious of people who quickly express strong feelings, claim to work internationally, 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. Criminals are specifically targeting the state's wealthy demographic.
Loan Fraud Protection: Freeze credit reports with all three bureaus before applying for legitimate credit—New Jersey law provides free freezes. Unfreeze only when applying for legitimate credit, then re-freeze immediately. Monitor credit reports every four months (rotating between bureaus) to catch fraudulent auto loans and mortgages. New Jersey's affluent population makes residents attractive targets for high-value loan fraud.
Real Estate Wire Fraud Prevention: Home buyers should verify all wire transfer instructions through phone calls to known title company numbers—never use contact information from emails. Confirm wire details verbally before initiating transfers. Given New Jersey's high home prices, fraudulent wire transfers result in massive losses. Title companies should implement callback procedures for all wire transfer instructions. Consider wire transfer insurance for down payments.
Pharmaceutical Industry Employee Protections: Industry workers should use separate email addresses for work versus personal communications to isolate credential theft exposure. Be extremely cautious about emails claiming to be from FDA, EMA, or other regulatory agencies requesting login credentials. Verify all regulatory communications through official agency websites. Report suspected corporate email compromise to company IT security immediately—delays allow criminals to intercept additional communications.
Port and International Trade Protections: New Jersey businesses engaged in import/export 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 Port Authority Police at (800) 828-7273.
Student Protection Measures: College students should verify scholarship offers and employment opportunities through university career services before sharing personal information or paying fees. Never pay fees for scholarship applications or Wall Street internship placements. Princeton and Rutgers students facing sophisticated phishing should enable two-factor authentication on all university accounts and be suspicious of .edu email forwarding rules—criminals create forwarding rules to intercept password reset emails.
Small Business Tax Fraud Prevention: Given New Jersey's complex tax environment, verify all state tax communications through New Jersey Division of Taxation at (609) 292-6400. Never provide payment or personal information to unsolicited callers claiming to be from New Jersey Division of Taxation or IRS. Legitimate tax agencies send written notices before phone contact. Use registered tax preparers verified through New Jersey Society of CPAs.
New Jersey-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local police (Newark: 973-733-6000, Jersey City: 201-547-4500) and obtain case numbers. Contact New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5846 or file online at njconsumeraffairs.gov. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. For business fraud, contact New Jersey Bureau of Securities at (973) 504-3600. Healthcare fraud reports go to New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at (877) 55-FRAUD. Report port fraud to Port Authority Police at (800) 828-7273. Securities fraud reports go to New Jersey Bureau of Securities at (973) 504-3600.
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.