Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
US report finds lasting emotional and practical harm from scams and identity theft
A 2026 survey by the US Identity Theft Resource Center found that scams and identity theft leave lasting harm beyond financial losses.
Among scam victims who sought help from the center, 54.8% said they felt ashamed or embarrassed, and some blamed themselves.
Victims in both groups reported trouble sleeping.
Of identity theft victims who contacted the center, 64% spent more than 40 hours trying to fix the damage, and most said their cases were still unresolved when surveyed.
In a separate group of consumers, 87.9% of scam victims who sought help said an organization did not respond, while 78.9% paid a third party promising to recover money or repair credit.
The survey covered 1,111 US adults and 197 victims who had contacted the center in the previous year.
The findings show recovery can bring further stress and fraud, and the center says lawmakers, companies and technology leaders should take victims’ needs seriously.
A 2026 report by the Identity Theft Resource Center says scams and identity theft can cause lasting emotional and practical harm.
Scam victims reported shame and self-blame, while identity theft victims often spent many hours trying to repair the damage.
Among scam victims who contacted the ITRC, 54.8% said they felt ashamed or embarrassed.
Of identity theft victims who contacted the ITRC, 64% spent more than 40 hours trying to resolve the crime.
The report says many victims struggled to get help, and some paid third parties that promised to recover money or fix credit.
- Who
- The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported on the experiences of U.S. adults and victims who sought its help.
- What
- Its 2026 Consumer Impact Report found that scams and identity theft can cause emotional distress and lengthy practical recovery work.
- When
- The research was conducted in August and September 2026. The report was published on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- The survey covered U.S. adults.
- Why
- The report examined the effects of scams and identity theft and the challenges victims face in recovering.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The ITRC conducted research surveying 1,111 U.S. adults and a separate group of 197 victims who had contacted it for assistance during the previous year.
Help Net Security published an article about findings from the ITRC’s 2026 Consumer Impact Report.
- General consumer survey
- 1,111 U.S. adults
- Victim assistance survey
- 197 people who contacted the ITRC during the previous year
- Shame or embarrassment
- 54.8% of scam victims who contacted the ITRC
- Time spent resolving identity theft
- 64% of ITRC-contacted victims spent more than 40 hours
- Unanswered requests for help
- 87.9% of scam victims in the general consumer group said they received no response from an organization they asked for help
- Recovery-scam fees
- 78.9% of scam victims in the general consumer group paid a third party promising help
What people are saying
Scams act as an acute trauma, while traditional identity theft acts as a chronic burden. Support for victims is as crucial now as it has ever been. Behind these numbers are real people enduring devastating trauma and shame. Lawmakers, companies and technology leaders cannot treat this as business as usual.
The many people on the other end of the phone from various government entities really did not care about me and many gave the impression that I was the guilty party. There has been no resolution to my problem after 6 months.