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Honesty is not the best policy for many credit-seeking Americans, according to the “2025 Consumer Survey: Fraud, Identity and Digital Banking US” report published by FICO (NYSE: FICO).

The survey of 1,000 adults found that up to one-third of respondents stating that telling lies on credit applications was either acceptable in some circumstances or normal behavior.

“Consumers are falsifying information in applications to gain credit, not understanding how much these so-called liar loans will stretch their finances and risk leaving them unable to repay or, even facing the consequences of committing fraud,” said Adam Davies, vice president of product management at FICO. “Banks are up against a constant challenge to prevent fraud and lend responsibly. While checks during applications may feel frustrating, they are there to protect the customer.”

On the flip side, Americans expect robust fraud protection that ensures their personal data is not compromised on fraudulent credit applications. According to the survey, nearly one in three consumers (32%) now rank fraud protection as their top priority when opening a new account. Americans are most concerned about a fraudster using their stolen identity to open an account (33%) or having a credit/debit card stolen and used (21%).

“Application fraud is no longer just a bank problem — it’s personal,” said Davies. “Our survey indicates more than 32 million Americans have been victims of identity-based application fraud. This is about trust — and consumers expect banks to earn it.”