Fraud continues to rise across the United States, and new data shows Pennsylvania remains firmly in the middle of the national rankings. A recent study analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found the state ranks 16th in the country for fraud reports per 100,000 residents.
The findings highlight how widespread scams have become, with millions of cases reported nationwide in the past year alone.
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Pennsylvania’s Fraud Numbers in Focus
According to the study by MoneyRadar, Pennsylvania logged 161,543 fraud reports between the third quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.
When adjusted for population, that equals 1,235.16 fraud reports per 100,000 residents. That places Pennsylvania 16th out of all 50 states.
While the state does not rank among the very highest, the volume of reports remains significant. Major urban centers such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh tend to see higher rates of account takeover schemes and online fraud. Meanwhile, older suburban populations are more often targeted by government impersonation and utility scams.
The States With the Highest Fraud Rates
The study examined Federal Trade Commission data for Q3 and Q4 of 2024 and Q1 and Q2 of 2025. Total fraud reports were compiled for each state and then scaled by population size to determine per-capita rankings.
Georgia ranks first in the country, reporting 1,839.86 fraud incidents per 100,000 residents. Florida follows closely behind with 1,795.48 per 100,000. Nevada, Delaware, and Maryland round out the top five.
Texas recorded the highest raw number of reports outside of California, with 439,414 cases during the period studied. California reported the highest total overall at 473,372, though its larger population placed it 18th on a per-capita basis.
Where Fraud Rates Are Lowest
At the other end of the spectrum, North Dakota recorded the lowest fraud rate in the country, with 657.19 reports per 100,000 residents. South Dakota and Iowa also ranked among the lowest.
The regional differences suggest certain states may be more heavily targeted by specific types of scams, particularly in densely populated or rapidly growing areas.
Fraud Is a Nationwide Issue
A spokesperson from MoneyRadar said the data underscores how persistent fraud has become across the country.
“Fraud remains a persistent issue across the US, with millions of incidents reported each year,” the spokesperson said. “Federal Trade Commission data shows 6.524 million fraud reports nationwide in 2024, with 1.559 million recorded in the final quarter alone, underlining how consistently widespread the problem has become.”
The spokesperson also noted geographic trends. “States in the Southeast appear disproportionately affected, with Georgia and Florida recording some of the highest per-capita reporting rates in the country, suggesting these areas may be more heavily targeted by certain types of scams.”
Common Types of Fraud
While the report does not break down individual scam categories for each state, FTC data nationally shows that common fraud types include:
• Imposter scams, where criminals pose as government agencies or utility providers
• Online shopping and account takeover schemes
• Investment and cryptocurrency fraud
• Identity theft and credit card fraud
Urban areas often experience higher levels of online and financial account fraud, while older populations may be more vulnerable to impersonation and phone-based scams.
Protecting Yourself From Fraud
Despite regional differences, experts stress that fraud can affect anyone, regardless of location.
“While risk levels vary by location, fraud can affect anyone, anywhere,” the MoneyRadar spokesperson said. “People living in states with higher reporting rates should be particularly alert, but basic precautions apply nationwide.”
Recommended steps include safeguarding personal and financial information, regularly reviewing account activity for unfamiliar transactions, avoiding unsolicited messages or calls requesting sensitive information, and keeping security software up to date.
Why the Rankings Matter
For Pennsylvania residents, ranking 16th serves as a reminder that fraud remains a serious issue locally, even if the state does not lead the nation.
With more than 160,000 fraud reports filed in a single year, the financial impact can be substantial. Scams not only result in direct monetary losses but also create long-term risks tied to identity theft and credit damage.
As fraud tactics continue to evolve, awareness remains one of the most effective defenses.
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