A recent study determined which state's residents are most vulnerable to identity theft.
"Identity theft reports have risen sharply in several states, with one nearly doubling its reported rate in just a year, according to a new analysis," according to a media release accompanying the results of the study conducted by the researchers at online reputation management company Content Removal.
The study examined Federal Trade Commission data for the 48 contiguous states, "comparing identity theft reports per 100,000 residents, different types of identity theft and changes between the second quarters of 2025 and 2026," the release said.
Florida topped the list with recording 295 identity theft reports per 100,000 residents in the second quarter of 2026.
Georgia followed with 251 and Mississippi placed third with 216.
"But Mississippi recorded one of the most striking changes," the release said. "Its reporting rate rose from 109 to 216 per 100,000 residents, an increase of 98.17% compared with the same quarter in 2025."
Rhode Island ranked a respectable 27th.
The least vulnerable state was South Dakota, followed by Maine and Montana.
Frankie Lee, the founder of Content Removal, said in the release that identity theft can involve more than unauthorized credit card purchases.
"Someone's personal information can be used to open accounts, apply for loans or impersonate them online," Lee said.
"People should regularly review their financial accounts and consider whether old social media profiles are exposing information they no longer need to make public," he said.
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