Every factual claim on CyberIdentityTheft.com is sourced from official government agencies. This page lists our primary sources and explains why we rely on them.
Our sourcing standard
CyberIdentityTheft.com prioritizes official government publications and primary sources. When an authoritative nonprofit, academic institution or necessary consumer-service provider is referenced, it is clearly identified. Statistics include the source, year and a direct link whenever available.
Links to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are provided only so consumers can reach the official free credit-freeze pages. They are not endorsements or affiliate relationships.
The agencies listed below are the authoritative sources for consumer identity theft and cybersecurity data in the United States. When we cite a statistic or recommend a course of action, it traces back to one of these sources.
The FTC is the primary federal agency for consumer protection and the leading authority on identity theft in the United States. The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network collects identity theft and fraud reports from consumers and law enforcement agencies nationwide. The FTC's annual Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book is the most comprehensive source of identity theft statistics available.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receives and processes complaints about internet-facilitated criminal activity, including identity theft, phishing, and fraud. The IC3 publishes an annual Internet Crime Report with data on reported losses, complaint volumes, and emerging threat categories.
CISA is the federal agency responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber threats. CISA publishes consumer guidance on phishing, ransomware, and account security, and issues alerts about active threat campaigns targeting individuals and organizations.
NIST develops cybersecurity standards and guidelines used by federal agencies and the private sector. NIST's publications on identity management, authentication, and password security are the technical foundation for much of what we recommend on account security topics.
The CFPB supervises financial companies and enforces consumer financial protection laws. The CFPB is the authoritative source for guidance on credit reports, credit freezes, fraud alerts, and disputing fraudulent accounts — the financial recovery tools most relevant to identity theft victims.
The SSA is the authoritative source for guidance on Social Security number theft and misuse. The SSA's Office of the Inspector General investigates Social Security fraud and publishes consumer alerts about Social Security impersonation scams.
If you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud, report it to the appropriate agency. Official reports create a record that can help with recovery and contribute to law enforcement data.
CyberIdentityTheft.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the agencies listed on this page. We link to these resources because they are the most reliable sources of consumer information on these topics.
