Toward a Typology of Identity Theft Victimization: A Latent Class Analysis

This study conducted a latent class analysis using a nationally representative sample of respondents pooled across four waves of the NCVS – Identity Theft Supplement (2012–2018) to identify victim subgroups based on their reported identity theft victimization experiences (N = 29,497). Findings revealed a typology of four latent classes: Class 1 (47.8%) comprises victims of misused credit cards; Class 2 (38.5%) contains victims of misused bank accounts; Class 3 (11.4%) captures those with a low-moderate likelihood of experiencing “irregular” victimization types; and Class 4 (2.3%) embodies multiple victimization. The significant predictors impacting class membership and the implications for targeted prevention are discussed.