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Javelin Strategy & Research found that the number of new-account fraud victims increased by 31% in 2025, rising from 4.2 million to 5.4 million.
This represented the sharpest increase among the fraud types tracked by the firm.
Unlike traditional identity theft, where criminals access existing bank accounts or credit cards, new-account fraud involves using a victim's name, Social Security number, birthdate, or other personal information to open a brand-new account.
These fraudulent accounts can range from credit cards sent to unfamiliar addresses to phone, utility, or buy now, pay later services with companies the victim has never used.
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