Study: Connecticut is One Massive Target for Identity Thieves

Connecticut is what you might call a target rich environment for identity thieves. I mean, think like a crook for a second, you're going to get more money from a high-end fashion store than a Dollar General, right?

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What is the old saying, "the devil wouldn't be attacking you so hard, if there wasn't something valuable inside you." If I was a criminal I'd take my chances on victims in Connecticut before I'd hit up Kentucky. This may be one of the reasons Connecticut was named one of the worst states for identity theft in America.

A new study released by Cloudwards underscores how prevalent the problem is in the Nutmeg State. Cloudwards looked at Identity Theft by State: Most and Least Dangerous US States

Here are the Top 5 Most Dangerous States for ID Theft

1. Washington DC

2 - Massachusetts

3 - Connecticut

4 - Nevada

5 - Pennsylvania

A Deeper Look From Cloudwards Says

Third on our list is Connecticut, where 384 out of every 100,000 citizens reported having their identity stolen in 2023. This represents a sharp increase compared to 2022, with 226 reports per 100,000 people. The majority of these reports are made to the local police department, though major credit bureaus are also occasionally involved.

Connecticut has enacted more identity theft laws than Massachusetts or the District of Columbia. The state passed general and civil laws in 2001 that safeguard data privacy, specific data disposal, minors’ credit reports and anti-phishing laws.

Why are identity theft cases so high in Connecticut despite the state enacting many security laws? The answer could lie in the relatively lenient punishments under these laws, Connecticut’s relatively high median income or the presence of more vulnerable populations.

Our neighbors in New York did OK, ranking as the 33rd most vulnerable state in America. The most secure state was Tennessee.

There are many other recommended steps that you can take to prevent identity theft according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

• Shred documents with personal of financial information.
• Protect your Social Security number and card. Don't carry the card in your wallet and don't give out your number.
• Don't give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or via email.
• Safeguard your military ID.
• Never lend credit cards or share card information.
• Don't click on unsolicited emails.
• Secure your computer and keep security software up-to-date.

Cloudwards shared some of their own tips which include using a VPN (never public WiFi) and limiting what you post on social media.

Basically, you should become a Quaker or you're going to get robbed.