New identity theft data from Q1 2025 shows a sharp rise in fraud targeting credit cards, loans, and bank accounts-surpassing 239,000 combined reports. Petroff Amshen LLP analyzes the surge, highlights where consumers are most vulnerable, and outlines legal strategies to undo the damage and reclaim financial control.
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / New federal data reveals a sharp rise in identity theft cases across the United States in early 2025, with major increases reported in credit card fraud, personal loans, and bank account infiltration. Petroff Amshen LLP and its New York-based identity theft attorneys focused on consumer protection, are calling attention to the growing risks faced by victims and encouraging proactive legal responses to protect financial rights-not just credit scores.
Compared to the first quarter of 2024, this year saw identity theft cases rise dramatically in multiple categories. According to updated identity theft statistics, the combined number of reports across credit cards, loans, and bank accounts now exceeds 239,000 incidents in just this quarter.
Credit Card Identity Theft Leads the Surge
Credit card fraud remains the leading form of identity theft in the U.S., and its growth in 2025 has been staggering. Between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, credit card identity theft cases rose by over 49%.
Most notably, new account fraud drove the increase: from 91,421 in Q1 2024 to 139,569 in Q1 2025.
This shift means that consumers are increasingly discovering unfamiliar credit lines on their reports-sometimes only after being denied a loan or flagged in a credit check identity theft scenario.
Although fraud on existing accounts also rose (from 12,352 to 14,914), the explosion of fake applications signals a deeper issue: unauthorized access to personal data is being used to build entirely new credit profiles, leaving victims unaware to the financial damage until they access their credit reports.
Loan and Lease Fraud Expands Into New Territory
Beyond credit cards, identity theft involving loan and lease accounts also surged. In Q1 2024, there were 40,651 reports. Just one year later, that number hit 56,724-a 40% increase.
The following breakdown by segment reveals expanding targets:
Auto loan and lease fraud rose from 12,539 to 21,446
Business or personal loan fraud increased from 23,411 to 28,081
Student loan fraud nearly doubled, reaching 8,656 combined cases
Real estate loan fraud also rose, from 2,005 to 2,625
These numbers suggest identity theft is no longer just about short-term credit-it's invading long-term financial structures, from student loans to rental agreements.
Bank Account Identity Theft Remains a Persistent Threat
While the increase in bank-related identity theft was more moderate, the threat is no less severe. In Q1 2025, over 31,000 incidents were reported, up from 30,338 in the same quarter last year.
The majority of cases involved:
Electronic funds transfers, debit cards, or ACH fraud (from 10,854 to 11,949)
New account openings using stolen identities (holding steady at ~17,000)
This type of fraud often results in unauthorized withdrawals, overdraft penalties, and misreported account behavior-all of which can severely damage a consumer's financial reputation.
Petroff Amshen LLP: Legal Solutions, for Credit Damage
As identity theft becomes more complex, Petroff Amshen LLP emphasizes that legal intervention-not just credit repair-is often the most effective response. With several experienced identity theft attorneys, the firm represents clients facing credit card fraud, false loan obligations, and other financial abuse tied to stolen identities.
"When someone uses your name to open accounts or take out loans, it's not just fraud-it's a legal violation," said Serge F. Petroff, Founding Partner of Petroff Amshen LLP. "Our mission is to restore control by pursuing legal solutions that remove these accounts, correct the damage, and hold financial institutions accountable."
The firm assists clients by:
Investigating the origin and extent of unauthorized accounts
Assisting with the dispute of false records with creditors and credit bureaus
Filing formal complaints and legal actions when necessary, under federal consumer protection laws
Recognizing the Signs of Identity Theft
Petroff Amshen LLP urges consumers to be alert to these red flags:
Credit accounts appearing on credit reports that you didn't open
Loan denials due to unfamiliar debts
Notifications from banks or lenders you don't recognize
Collections calls on accounts you never used
Suspicious drops in your credit score
If any of these apply, the firm advises seeking a legal evaluation to learn about all of your rights-not just a credit monitoring service.
Connect With Petroff Amshen LLP
Petroff Amshen LLP is committed to protecting New Yorkers from the long-term damage of identity theft. With nearly two decades of experience in consumer protection and litigation, the firm provides personalized strategies to restore financial control and defend clients' legal rights.
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Contact Information
Gabriel Botero
Media Relations
media@petroffamshen.com
(718) 336-4200
SOURCE: Petroff Amshen LLP
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
