Illinois, Montana Hot Spots For Identity Theft

  • Aug 02, 2007

ID Analytics Inc., recently announced the results of new analytical research on U.S. identity fraud by geography. The research, which is based on actual and attempted frauds rather than on consumer victim reports, examined data from January through December 2006 to determine where identity fraud is most rapidly increasing.

When examined at the five-digit ZIP code level, the U.S. identity fraud "hot spots" where criminal activity is rising the fastest include the cities of Springfield, Illinois; Bozeman, Montana and Missoula, Montana. The U.S. counties that emerged as hot spots in the last year, based on analysis at the three-digit ZIP code level, include 13 counties in North Dakota and seven counties in Montana. The research also showed that in general identity fraud rates are increasing in the upper Midwest, Northern California, Utah, Nevada and Maine. Identity fraud rates appear to be decreasing in the Southern U.S. and staying consistent in such areas as Southern California, the Mexican border of Texas and in cities like Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

"These findings may seem surprising because none of these emerging hot spots are high population density areas, and some are even rural," said Stephen Coggeshall, ID Analytics' chief technology officer and the author of the research. "Our methodology allowed us to compare fraud rates across areas with differing populations to see where fraud is rising most quickly on a per capita basis. While identity fraud rates remain high in many large metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles and Detroit, we are seeing substantial emergence of these crimes in more rural areas like Montana and South Dakota. This may indicate a trend toward popularization of this crime, as well as point out that perpetrators are discovering that they can act under the radar in these remote rural areas."

By analyzing data from its ID Network, ID Analytics is able to gain a quantitative understanding of the nature of identity fraud. The ID Network comprises three billion identity elements-including names, addresses, Social Security numbers and phone numbers-which are contributed in real-time, by organizations spanning multiple industries, for the sole purpose of preventing identity fraud. Sophisticated analytics applied against data in the ID Network enable ID Analytics to examine how identities behave across organizations. Further statistical analysis enables ID Analytics to determine where identity fraud is most common.

The 10 cities and their respective ZIP codes where identity fraud increased most rapidly during 2006 are:

  1. Springfield, Ill. (62707)
  2. Bozeman, Mont. (59715 and 59718)
  3. Missoula, Mont. (59804, 59803 and 59808)
  4. Whitefish, Mont. (59937)
  5. Lolo, Mont. (59847)
  6. Bismarck, N.D. (58504)
  7. Hamilton, Mont. (59840)
  8. Bigfork, Mont. (59911)
  9. Grand Forks, N.D. (58201)
  10. Fargo, N.D. (58104)

The counties that most strongly emerged as identity fraud hot spots in the last year are:

  1. Divide, McKenzie and Williams counties, ND (588XX ZIP).
  2. Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, McKenzie, Morton, Slope and Stark counties, ND (586XX ZIP).
  3. Granite, Lake, Missoula, Mineral, Powell, Ravalli and Sanders counties, MT (598XX ZIP).

Featured

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.