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

Understanding Texas's identity theft crisis

Texas faces an identity theft crisis, ranking #4 nationally by per-capita rate (434 reports per 100K) with 128,758 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 111.0% of 2024's full-year total of 116,484. This represents approximately 472 new victims every single day across Texas, with one new victim every 3.1 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 Texas reflects the state's unique vulnerabilities and risk factors affecting the state's 30.5 million residents. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for Texas residents.

Why Texas ranks #4 in identity theft statistics

Border Region Creates Unique Vulnerabilities: Texas's extensive border with Mexico generates distinctive identity theft patterns. The 6 million people living in Texas border counties² face elevated risks from cross-border criminal operations, document fraud rings, and exploitation of immigrant communities. Government imposter scams often target Spanish-speaking populations with fake immigration officials, ICE agents, and consulate representatives demanding immediate payment.

Energy and Corporate Infrastructure Target:Texas is home to 53 Fortune 500 company headquarters³—more than any state except California—including ExxonMobil, AT&T, American Airlines, and Dell. This corporate concentration creates massive employee databases vulnerable to breaches. Business imposter scams reflect sophisticated criminal operations targeting corporate payment systems and executive impersonation.

Healthcare Industry Exposure: Texas's sprawling healthcare sector, anchored by the Texas Medical Center (the world's largest medical complex⁴), processes millions of patient records containing highly sensitive personal and financial information. Medical data breaches in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio have exposed hundreds of thousands of residents' information, driving subsequent identity theft waves.

Regional Worry Significantly Underestimates Risk: Despite Texas's extreme vulnerability, only 63.1% of South region respondents worry most about identity theft⁵. Texas's actual rate of 434 per 100K demands much higher vigilance, but many residents—particularly recent arrivals from other states—haven't adjusted security practices to match Texas's elevated threat environment.

Rapid Growth Strains Security: Texas added 473,000 residents in 2024⁶, straining municipal services, banking systems, and fraud detection capabilities. Job scams disproportionately target new arrivals seeking employment in Austin's tech sector, Houston's energy industry, and Dallas's corporate corridor.

By income & socioeconomic status

Identity theft in Texas cuts across income levels 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 accounts, 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 Texas compares to other high-risk states like Florida.

Fraud patterns and identity theft statistics

Most common types of identity theft in Texas (2025)

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

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

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

Texas reported 128,758 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, compared to 116,484 reports for the full year 2024. This represents 111.0% of the 2024 total in just three quarters, indicating Texas is on track to exceed 2024's numbers.

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

2025 YTD Texas 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, Texas Age & Fraud Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

Who is at risk of identity theft in Texas?

Border Region Residents and Immigrant Communities: Over 6 million people living in Texas's border counties face concentrated targeting. Government imposter scams exploit immigration concerns, with criminals impersonating ICE, border patrol, or consular officials.

Corporate Employees and Remote Workers: Texas's 1.8 million corporate employees across Fortune 500 companies face business email compromise and credential phishing. The shift to hybrid work created vulnerabilities—criminals target corporate VPN credentials and impersonate IT departments.

Energy Sector Workers: Texas's 465,000 oil and gas industry workers face targeted fraud. Their salaries make them attractive targets for loan fraud, while frequent relocation for projects creates transitional vulnerabilities.

Healthcare Professionals: Texas's 1.9 million healthcare workers and millions of patients face exposure from frequent medical data breaches. Medical identity theft allows criminals to obtain prescription drugs or file fraudulent insurance claims.

Students in Tech Hubs: Texas's 1.7 million college students, particularly in Austin, Houston, and Dallas, face sophisticated fraud including fake internship offers and student loan consolidation scams.

Real Estate Buyers: Texas's booming real estate markets create wire fraud opportunities. Criminals intercept closing communications and redirect down payments to criminal-controlled accounts.

Military Members and Veterans: Texas hosts more active-duty military personnel (164,000+) than any other state. They face targeted scams exploiting deployment cycles and VA benefit fraud.

How to protect yourself from fraud in Texas

Texas-Specific Legal Protections: Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 521 provides comprehensive identity theft protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free and access Texas's strong notification law requiring 60-day notice. Contact the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 621-0508 or visit texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection for assistance and to file complaints.

Border Region Protections: Residents near the Mexico border should be especially vigilant about government imposter scams. ICE, border patrol, and immigration officials never demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These agencies send written notices and provide multiple payment methods. Hang up on threatening calls and independently verify by calling official numbers from government websites. Report scams to Texas Attorney General and local police.

Combat Business Email Compromise: Corporate employees should enable multi-factor authentication on all work accounts. Be suspicious of urgent payment requests, especially those bypassing normal approval processes or requesting unusual payment methods. Verify all payment changes through previously established phone numbers, never through email alone. Implement DMARC email authentication to prevent domain spoofing.

Employment Scam Prevention: New Texas residents and job seekers should verify employers through Texas Secretary of State business search before sharing personal information. Legitimate employers never request payment for background checks, equipment, or training before hiring. Research companies through Better Business Bureau in Central Texas and report suspicious job postings to Texas Workforce Commission. Be especially wary of remote work offers with unusually high pay for minimal qualifications.

Real Estate Wire Fraud Prevention: When buying property in Texas, verify all wire transfer instructions through phone calls to known title company numbers—never use contact information from emails. Confirm changes through multiple communication channels. Use two-factor authentication on email accounts during transactions. Consider wire transfer insurance for large down payments. Title companies should implement callback procedures for all wire transfer instructions.

Healthcare Data Protection: Monitor credit reports quarterly for signs of medical identity theft, such as unfamiliar medical collections or insurance claims. Request annual insurance benefit statements showing all services billed under your name. Contact health insurers immediately about unfamiliar medical charges. Place fraud alerts on credit reports after receiving data breach notifications from healthcare providers.

Credit Card and Loan Fraud Prevention: With loan fraud surging, freeze your credit reports with all three bureaus before applying for legitimate credit—unfreeze only when needed. This prevents criminals from opening unauthorized accounts. Use credit monitoring that alerts you to new account inquiries. Review credit reports every four months (one bureau quarterly) to catch fraudulent accounts early.

Small Business Safeguards: Texas business owners should establish payment verification procedures requiring verbal confirmation for all wire transfers over $10,000. Train employees to recognize business email compromise indicators: urgent requests, executive impersonation, and requests to bypass approval processes. Use dedicated payment approval email addresses that are never shared externally. Maintain cyber liability insurance covering business email compromise losses.

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. Report military-related fraud to installation provost marshals and the Military OneSource at (800) 342-9647.

Spanish-Language Scam Awareness: Texas's Hispanic community should share information about government imposter scams within families and through Spanish-language media. Create code words with family members to verify emergency calls. Organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) provide Spanish-language fraud education at (202) 833-6130.

Texas-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local police and obtain case numbers for credit bureaus. Contact Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 621-0508. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. For business fraud, contact Texas Secretary of State Securities Division at (512) 305-8300. Border-related fraud should be reported to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at (877) 227-5511. Healthcare fraud reports go to Texas Health and Human Services OIG at (800) 436-6184.

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 Texas

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)
• Texas AG: File complaint with Texas Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division (800) 621-0508

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

Texas identity theft resources

State resources

Texas Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division: (800) 621-0508

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/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 Texas rank #4 nationally for identity theft?

Texas ranks #4 nationally with 434 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 Texas?

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

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

Texas reported 128,758 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, already at 111.0% of 2024's full-year total of 116,484.

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

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

Are there state-specific identity theft laws in Texas?

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

How can I protect myself from identity theft in Texas?

Given Texas's #4 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.