Florida ranks among the nation’s hardest-hit states for financial losses due to cybercrime, with residents suffering both high absolute losses and significantly elevated losses on a per-resident basis.
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According to a 2025 analysis combining data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI’s Internet Crime Losses database, Florida ranked ninth in terms of per capita cybercrime losses in 2023, with an average of $64.47 lost per resident.
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On a broader scale, this places Florida firmly within the top 10 U.S. states where residents are financially impacted by cybercrime more than in the majority of states.
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In terms of total monetary losses, Florida was not far behind the nation’s biggest targets: Florida residents lost approximately $1.51 billion in 2023, trailing only California ($3.54 billion) and Texas ($1.66 billion).
Fraud and Identity Theft Surge
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Florida also led the nation in fraud reporting. In 2024, Floridians reported $866 million in fraud losses and filed 115,840 identity theft incidents, making it the top state for both fraud and identity theft complaints.
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The Miami metro area was identified as the most fraud-prone city nationwide, with about 2,800 cases per 100,000 residents, while the Tampa Bay area ranked ninth, reporting approximately 2,050 cases per 100,000 residents.
Scams: Romance, Business, and Government Impostors
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Among the most financially damaging schemes in Florida were romance scams, which cost residents an estimated $89 million in 2024, followed by business impersonation scams at $54.8 million, and government impersonation scams at $45.7 million.
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Nationwide, cyber scams surged in 2024, resulting in $16 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year—with over 850,000 complaints filed.
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Elderly individuals were disproportionately affected, accounting for nearly 30% of total losses.
Florida’s Cybercrime Landscape at a Glance
| Category | Florida’s Data (2023–2024) |
|---|---|
| Per capita cybercrime loss | $64.47 – 9th highest nationwide (2023) |
| Total cybercrime losses | $1.51 billion (2023) |
| Fraud and identity theft losses | $866 million (2024) |
| Identity theft complaints | 115,840 reports (2024) |
| Top metro fraud rates | Miami: ~2,800 cases per 100,000; Tampa Bay: ~2,050 per 100,000 |
| Damage by scam type | Romance: $89M; Business fake: $54.8M; Government fake: $45.7M |
What This Means for Floridians
Florida’s high rankings on both per capita loss and total monetary impact paint a concerning portrait: the state is facing a dual challenge of frequent, financially devastating scams and an especially vulnerable population—particularly seniors.
With romance, business, and government impersonation scams leading the losses, experts stress the importance of public outreach and awareness. Authorities have taken steps such as shutting down fraudulent websites—including cloned SunPass sites—but continued vigilance remains essential.
Steps for protection include:
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Verifying the identity of anyone claiming to represent a business or government entity.
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Avoiding sharing personal data or wiring money without confirmation.
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Remaining particularly cautious when dealing with online relationships or urgent service providers.
As scams evolve, ongoing education and stronger safeguards are vital to protect Florida’s residents—especially its older population—from continued financial harm.
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