The number of identity fraud victims nationwide has jumped 12 percent 11.1 million adults, according to a survey by Javelin Strategy & Research.

The 12 percent increase is the highest since the survey started in 2003. The total overall fraud amount increased 12.5 percent to $54 billion.

An increase in non-card frauds and computer-based crimes confirms recent trends of increasingly sophisticated criminal activity, according to Javelin.

Javelin conducted telephone interviews with 5,000 adults nationwide in November 2009. The interviews were designed to identify and track the methods fraudsters used, the impact of fraud, and how consumers can most effectively avoid becoming victims of fraud.

"Identity fraud continues on the upswing and we believe it will continue to rise if consumers fail to take proactive steps to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of their offline and online transactions and their increasingly exposed personal information on social networks. In addition, consumers need to protect themselves and their computers from sophisticated malware, and well conceived and executed spam and phishing attacks," said Michael Stanfield, chairman and CEO of Intersections Inc., a firm that provides identity theft prevention services and a co-sponsor of the survey.

"The findings of this Javelin report reinforce what we’ve been telling consumers for more than a decade – be vigilant with whom you are sharing your personal information and where you are sharing it. Protect your computer and only transact on confirmed legitimate Web sites," he said.