WASHINGTON -- Identity theft is far from an isolated problem, according to the Federal Trade Commission's list of complaints.

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For the fourth straight year, identity theft is the most common complaint filed with the FTC. The agency says identity theft accounted for 42 percent of its more than 500,000 complaints received last year -- up from 40 percent a year earlier.

The most common cases of identity theft involved credit cards, followed by telephones or utilities, banks and workplace fraud.

At the same time, the FTC said concern is growing about online transactions. Reports of Internet-related fraud accounted for 55 percent of all fraud reports last year, up from 45 percent in 2002.

The FTC says the median loss for victims of Internet-related fraud was $195, while the median loss for all types of fraud was $228.

The major metropolitan areas with the highest per capita rates of consumer fraud reported were Washington, D.C.; Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, Wash; and San Diego. But the agency says higher reporting of fraud does not necessarily indicate a higher overall incidence.

The major metropolitan areas with the highest per capita rates of identity theft reported were Phoenix/Mesa, Ariz.; Los Angeles/Long Beach, Calif.; and Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif.

After identity theft, other top complaints included:

Internet auctions -- 15 percent
Shop-at-home/catalog sales -- 9 percent
Internet services and computer complaints -- 6 percent
Prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries -- 5 percent
Foreign money offers -- 4 percent
Advance fee loans and credit protection -- 4 percent
Telephone services -- 3 percent
Business opportunities and work-at-home plans -- 2 percent
Magazine buyers clubs -- 1 percent
Office supplies and services -- 1 percent

FTC: Full Report