Identity Fraud Report 2025-2026

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The Sophistication Shift

Last year, we saw fraud becoming more accessible than ever. This year, we’re seeing fewer but far more dangerous attacks: more methodical, more organized, and more damaging to businesses and consumers alike. Low-effort and easy-to-detect scams are being replaced with multi-layered fraud conducted by coordinated operations.

So how do businesses shield themselves from these more sophisticated schemes? Which regions are more vulnerable to deepfake content? Which sectors are facing dwindling consumer trust? And which trends will disrupt the status quo in 2026?

Find the answers in our latest report, packed with real-world data, expert commentary, and regional analysis. It’s our most comprehensive edition yet.

The primary data sources for this report

fraud attempts analyzed
fraud and risk professionals surveyed
end-users surveyed

Discover the latest findings about identity fraud in 2025

Find out where fraud currently stands, then read our playbooks to counter today’s sophisticated attacks.

Identity fraud rates and growth by region

Fraud forecast for 2026

Top 5 first-party and third-party fraud type

Creating a winning fraud prevention strategy

AI developments and solutions

Regional regulatory developments

Global identity fraud dynamics

Fraud prevention readiness checklists

What is the overall fraud rate?

In 2025, the global identity fraud rate was 2.2%, down from 2.6% in 2024, but still higher than the 2.0% rate in 2023. Exposure remains uneven by region and sector, with online media, financial services, and crypto continuing to see elevated pressure.

Has fraud increased in recent years?

Fraud has trended upward over the three-year period, with varying levels of volatility from year to year. The rate was 2.0% in 2023, spiked to 2.6% in 2024 during the peak of “democratized” fraud tools, and moderated to 2.2% in 2025. While the overall rate eased this year, the quality of attacks rose, signaling a shift from high-volume, low-skill attempts to fewer but more sophisticated operations.

What is the main fraud trend 2025?

The defining theme is the Sophistication Shift. Low-effort scams are giving way to multi-layered operations that rely on advanced deception, social engineering, and AI-generated identities. Compared to 2024, we saw a 180% increase in sophisticated fraud, as stronger verification controls rendered simple tactics ineffective and prompted actors to invest more time and resources into targeted attacks.

What are the statistics of identity security?

Identity risk remains elevated. The global fraud rate stands at 2.2%, and while the overall volume has eased from last year’s peak, advanced methods have become more common, including deepfake-enabled schemes and coordinated account abuse. These trends highlight the need for layered verification, continuous risk assessment, and clear auditability throughout the customer journey.

How likely is identity fraud?

Identity fraud remains common for both consumers and businesses in 2025. Phishing is the leading consumer entry point, while identity theft and account takeover are the primary business-facing third-party fraud threats. Contributing factors include widespread social engineering, data breaches and leaked credentials, the availability of fraud-as-a-service, and growing interest in targeting biometric systems, underscoring the importance of multi-layered defenses.

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