UK Identity Fraud Hits Record High in First Half of 2026

Identity fraud reached a record level in the UK during the first six months of 2026, new analysis from Cifas shows. It accounted for nearly three in five fraud risk cases reported to the National Fraud Database, and it’s becoming increasingly digitalized.

More than 220,000 fraud risk cases were recorded between January and June this year. Identity fraud made up 59% of those cases, rising 9% year over year to nearly 130,000 reports. Bank accounts and payment cards remained the most common targets.

People aged 61 and over continued to account for the largest share of identity fraud victims. However, the fastest growth was among adults aged 21 to 30, where reported cases increased by 32% compared with the first half of 2025. Cifas attributed the rise to greater exposure to fraud through online platforms and social media in their report.

The analysis also points to a growing use of fraudulent identities, AI-enabled impersonation, and manipulated identity documents, although it did not break down how many cases involved those techniques. 

At the same time, criminals are expanding their use of money mules beyond current accounts into a wider range of financial products, according to fraud prevention experts quoted in the report.