Synthetic Identity Fraud
CONFIRMED THREAT
Criminals combine real SSNs (often children's or elderly) with fake names/DOBs to create new identities. Victims discover fraud years later. Estimated $20B+ annual losses.
mailwebsite
→3 confirmed active threats
🪪Identity Theft
Identity theft caused $174M in losses across 21,403 complaints in 2024. Criminals use stolen SSNs, driver's licenses, and personal info to open accounts, file false tax returns, and commit fraud in victims' names. Freeze your credit to prevent new account fraud.
$174Min reported losses, 2024(IC3)21 403 complaints↑ 38% vs 2023
3
Patterns Documented
3
Confirmed Threats
0
High Risk
$16.6B
Reported Losses, 2024 (IC3)
Data sourced from FBI IC3 2024 Annual Report. Data reflects complaints submitted to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and may not represent all incidents. ZeroScam is an educational tool and is not affiliated with the FBI.
Filter by Category
Clear filter ×All Patterns (85)₿ Cryptocurrency Scams(4)$6.6B💳 Payment & BEC Scams(9)$2.8B💻 Tech Support Scams(5)$1.5B🔓 Personal Data Breach(2)$1.5B🛒 Online Purchase Scams(5)💔 Romance Scams(3)🏛️ Government Impersonation(6)🏢 Corporate Data Breach(3)💼 Job & Employment Scams(6)🏧 Crypto ATM & Kiosk Scams(3)🥇 Gold Courier Scams(2)🪪 Identity Theft(3)🏠 Rental Scams(2)🔒 Extortion & Blackmail(1)🎰 Prize & Lottery Scams(1)🎣 Phishing & Smishing(3)📦 Delivery & Shipping Scams(4)🎭 Impersonation Scams(4)🤖 AI-Powered Scams(5)📱 Social Media Scams(2)📞 Telemarketing Scams(1)🏥 Healthcare Scams(1)🏦 Financial Service Scams(2)🔧 Service Provider Scams(2)🎗️ Charity Scams(1)🗳️ Election & Civic Scams(2)🧬 Synthetic Identity Fraud(2)🔄 Recovery Scams(1)
Threat Levels
CONFIRMED THREAT— Actively reported to FBI IC3
HIGH RISK— Significant victim reports
EMERGING— Recently identified pattern
Tax Identity Theft
CONFIRMED THREAT
Criminals file fraudulent tax returns using stolen SSNs to claim refunds. Victims discover theft when their legitimate return is rejected.
mailwebsite
→Account Takeover Fraud
CONFIRMED THREAT
Criminals gain access to existing bank, credit, or utility accounts through phishing, SIM swaps, or credential stuffing. They drain funds or make purchases.
emailphonewebsite
→Common Questions About Identity Theft
How do I know if my identity was stolen?▼
Signs: unexpected bills, debt collection calls, denied credit, unfamiliar accounts on credit report, IRS notice about duplicate tax filing.
What's the first thing to do after identity theft?▼
Freeze credit at all 3 bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — it's free. File report at identitytheft.gov. Contact affected companies.
Should I pay for identity theft protection?▼
Free tools work well. Credit freezes are free and most effective. Paid services add convenience but aren't essential.
How long does identity theft recovery take?▼
Typically 6-12 months to resolve all fraudulent accounts. Some cases take years. Document everything and be persistent.
📖 How to Use This Database
- ✓Browse patterns to learn scammer tactics before you encounter them
- ✓Share specific pattern pages with family members who may be targeted
- ✓Use our scanner to check suspicious messages against all 85 patterns
- ✓Report scams to FBI IC3 and FTC using links on each pattern page
⚖️ Important Information
This database is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Pattern data is derived from publicly available FBI IC3 reports and ongoing research.
ZeroScam does not guarantee detection of all scams. Always exercise caution and verify independently before sending money or personal information.
Not legal or financial advice. If you have been victimized, contact local law enforcement and file reports with FBI IC3 and FTC.
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73% of Americans report being targeted(Pew Research, 2025 survey)
|$470M reported in text-related fraud(FTC, 2024)
|$16.6B in total reported losses(FBI IC3, 2024)